GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar has emphasised the GHMC’s objective of paying attention to heritage precincts within Hyderabad with an intention of enhancing the historical character and improving Quality of Life for residents.
The Commissioner chaired a meeting on “Aga Khan historic cities programme”, for integrating the Deccan Park in Qutub Shahi Tomb Complex, in his chambers on Tuesday. He expressed the desire that all the visitors to Hyderabad should visit the Quli Qutub Shah Heritage Park for which there is every need to provide adequate parking facilities and presentable areas. They plan to have the main entrance to the tomb complex from the Deccan park area. They are incorporating the tourist infrastructure in this area of development.
Somesh Kumar suggested that a city planner shall be deputed to assess the status of the site as it is. Further he instructed the officials to constitute a team comprising of concerned Zonal commissioner, Addl. C.C.P, MRO, and the Dept of Archaeology to assess the possible threats for encroachments. The Commissioner suggested the Aga Khan team to mark the immediate heritage precinct and the cone of vision for the visual linkages of the monuments.
The Commissioner has suggested the Aga khan Trust to coordinate with the Heritage consultant GHMC whenever required and was requested to support the heritage conservation works initiated by GHMC other than Quli Qutub Shahi tombs complex for which the team has extended its support. The Commissioner offered full support for the initiative that would be of significance not only to the people of Hyderabad but also in the international context. The Commissioner has informed that the construction works on the heritage corridor had commenced and linkages were being established between Golconda and the Tomb complex and requested AKTC’s technical assistance towards this objective.
Somesh Kumar has requested that a formal request for transfer of Deccan Park to department of Archaeology be made keeping in view of MoU signed on 9th January 2013 wherein the objective of ‘unifying’ the Deccan Park and Tombs complex was agreed, AKTC was requested to hold make preliminary surveys in consultation with GHMC officials to arrive at the most effective manner to connect the Golconda Fort and Deccan Park for visitors. This would also be an opportunity to provide opportunities for economic gain for local residents, he said. He has requested AKTC to carry out model demonstration projects that would build confidence amongst local residents on the proposed development.
He has instructed to ensure no further encroachments of land within the walled enclosure took place and that reported recent encroachments including building of parking at northern edge of the tomb complex be inspected as well as southern boundary of the tomb complex. Any recent encroachments in this zone should be removed. He further requested AKTC to assist in defining a zone with height restrictions for new construction in a ‘funnel’ effect to ensure heritage character is not destroyed and also requested technical assistance, in a timely manner, for other GHMC initiatives related to heritage precincts in Hyderabad. He instructed that AKTC could be in discussion with Mr Sanjay Torvi, Consulting Conservation Architect for all matters.
Cameron Rashti, Director, Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme explained that the AKTC project aimed at major conservation coupled with landscape restoration at the heritage precinct. Archival research revealed that the core monument zone was not densely planted and stood on rock but ecological zones were planned for the northern and southern portions of the site where local flora will be planted in a systematic manner from 2015 onwards. It was also mentioned that some of the existing features like a water body, mound etc., shall be retained to support the ecological aspects of conservation.
Rashti offered any required AKTC technical support for specific projects and offered to make available architectural, urban design and landscape professionals. AKTC explained that in the proposed scheme, it was planned that all future access to the Tomb complex would be through the area presently in Deccan Park where parking, visitor facilities could be provided and this would b a more appropriate and dignified entry to the tomb complex. AKTC offered to commence surveys at Deccan Park immediately in order to design facilities such as bus and car parking that could be built by GHMC as part of the Heritage corridor development.
V Madhu Sudan, OSD, YATC, Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, G.V.Raghu, Chief City Planner, GHMC, Sanjay Toorvi, Consulting Conservation Architect, GHMC, Ratish Nanda, Projects Director, Aga Khan Trust for Culture and others have participated in the meeting. (INN)