Government stands aside as construction threatens the Charminar
- Illegal construction work is happening close to the protected monument.
- The presence of private vehicles has meant that pollution levels near the Charminar remain high.
- The government has proposed to begin a tram service to decongest the vicinity of the monument.
FollowThe Charminar monument has an intrinsic link to Hyderabad’s identity. It was built in the same year as the city was founded (1591); one can’t picture Hyderabad without the landmark monument. However, now, construction and pollution are threatening the Charminar and its guardian, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), seems to be standing aside idly.
The Times of India recently reported that construction has started on a commercial building less than 200 metres from the monument. The ASI’s permission is mandatory for such activities within 200 metres of a protected monument.
Despite a government ban on the use of commercial vehicles (buses and autos) near the Charminar, private vehicles continue to operate. In late 2016, officials revealed that the presence of suspended particulate matter near the Charminar was nearly three times the norm at 150mg. Unburnt carbon from vehicular smoke has been settling on the upper sections of the minarets, necessitating restoration work.
As part of a pedestrianisation programme to decongest the vicinity of the Charminar, the State government recently announced that a tram line would be built with French technology. The project is expected to cost around ₹100 crore. However, since previous proposals such as a light rail system and BRTS have fizzled out, it remains to be seen if the trams do start chugging.
