HYDERABAD: The Golconda Fort in Hyderabad is the medieval sultanate's architectural and acoustic wonder with a treasure trove of tales about diamonds, treason and its quake-proof architecture. But today the iconic heritage site is in ruins.
The locals, as well as some visitors, have raised concerns over the defacement of the structure after witnessing a huge part of the fortification wall near Moti Darwaza getting destroyed, after catching fire from burning garbage.
However, the locals are not surprised as this is not the first time that the fortification wall of the iconic structure has been exposed to a massive fire. "Heaps of garbage that is piled up near the gateway of Moti Darwaza is set on fire at least once or twice every week. On days when the structure is not being subjected to intense heat and fire, the stench from the garbage is so bad that you can see tourists and locals walk through its precincts with handkerchiefs to their noses," said Mohammed Habeebuddin, a heritage activist. "Since the structure is continuously exposed to fire and heat, an early collapse should be anticipated unless authorities take some interest," he added.
The Moti Darwaza is one of the eight gateways of the Golconda Fort. The narrow pathway of Moti Darwaza was originally built to keep the elephants that are on the rampage from entering the fort.
Residents in the locality say it is the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) that placed the garbage bins right at the entrance of Moti Darwaza. "It is because GHMC has placed the dustbins there and then they burn the garbage once it piles up, people think it is ok to dump the garbage in that area. This will not just damage the centuries-old architecture but will also create problems for locals and tourists," said Jagdish Kumar, a resident.
While the GHMC zonal commissioner (central zone) was not available for a response, Hafsiya Hanseef, GHMC corporator for Golconda division said, "We have sent a proposal for greenery development around the fortification wall near Moti Darwaza so the problem is addressed."