Let not drain works hit Golconda fort heritage

Golconda: Telangana Jana Samithi founder president professor M Kodandaram on Monday called on the stakeholders and government organisations, ASI and GHMC, to find an amicable solution. While protecting the sanctity of the Golconda fort, they must provide residents with a sigh of relief from engulfing civic problems, he said.

Kodandaram, who made a visit to Golconda and examined the Shah Hatim Talab and on the ongoing works of GHMC – which were recently stopped following outcry from heritage activists by ASI – felt that the fort and its walls not only belong to the city but to the nation as well. Golconda is an icon for over centuries.

He, who also spoke to locals and discussed all other options, held that while there were apprehensions about the possible damage to the structure, there must also be a solution for the sewerage and mosquito problem of the area.

"As part of my visit, I tried to understand the problem. After visiting here, I also came to know about the problem of pollutants being released in the lake, which also should have a solution. It is a must to have an exit route and the residents hope there's a relief from this soon," he pointed out.

While pointing out that the historic lake, Shah Hatim, was part of the heritage, along with Golconda, Kodandaram said that the water body has now turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and that most of the residents were hoping for a permanent solution for the problem.

"There must be a solution for this without impacting or damaging the fort walls. GHMC and ASI should reach to an amicable solution, along with all the stakeholders involved. We shall be organising a meeting with all the stakeholders shortly," he noted.

It may be mentioned here that following an outcry by heritage activists that the works related to construction of a drain close to the fort could damage the 1.5 km long moat around the Fort, the ASI has recently ordered that the digging works being taken up by GHMC at the Golconda fort be stopped.

But the residents question the intentions, as the drain would empty the overflows of Shah Hatim Talab during rainy season at Langar Houz Lake. Even though the works started in 2018 had permission from ASI, the works were stopped about a few days ago after the heritage activists raised alarm that the huge machinery like JCBs were being used to dig the drain. They lamented that not only wall, but the natural rock formations were at risk of being damaged.