Hyderabad, May 25: Archaeology and museums department officials have asked Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to pull down 20 structures around
the Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque in Hayatnagar, a protected monument.
Throwing heritage norms to the wind, GHMC officials had allowed nearly 20 buildings in the buffer zone of the mosque. According to the department of archaeology, buildings have come up in survey number 260 of Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque.
“Two housing colonies Shantivanam township and Anand colony have come up in recent months. Construction has begun in plot nos. 45 to 61 in Shantivanam township and in plot nos. 25, 26 and 27 in Anand colony, which are within 100 metres of the Hayat Bakshi Begum monument area. These are unauthorised,” P Chenna Reddy, director, archaeology and museums told.
As per the AP Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960, no structure is permitted, whether temporary or permanent, within 100 metres of any historical monument as it is a buffer zone.
There is a restricted zone, two hundred metres away from this buffer zone, where constructions up to 15 feet height are allowed. Even these constructions should relate to the architecture of the monument.
“LB Nagar municipal circle authorities are permitting buildings in the buffer zone of the monument, especially in s.no 260 of Hayatnagar mandal. The municipal authorities should demolish the unauthorised structures immediately,” Chenna Reddy said.
The archaeology and museums department wrote letters to GHMC and district collector of Ranga Reddy district to take action.
Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque was built in honour of the begum after her death in 1666. She was the daughter of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah and the wife of the sixth Qutb Shahi ruler. The mosque with five double arches and two majestic minarets was constructed in 1672. There is a ‘Haathi Bowli’ (elephant well) where water was drawn by elephants.
The archaeology department wants to develop Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque as a tourist spot on the lines of Shilparamam as there are five acres of land abutting the monument. It also plans to restore some structures, especially rest rooms within the mosque area and facades which are in a dilapidated condition.
When contacted, GHMC L B Nagar circle deputy municipal commissioner K Deshpande said the buildings were constructed a few years ago. “The GHMC town planning wing will dismantle constructions coming up in the buffer zone of the Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque immediately,” he added.
-Agencies