Bollard works move at a snail's pace

Charminar: The delayed works of the new project to install Hydraulic bollards in the surroundings of Charminar (as part of Charminar Pedestrianisation Project) has not only added to the woes of pedestrians, but also thrown open many questions to the shopkeepers who now face logistic problems.

Owing to the delay, the pedestrians are facing hurdles reaching the side of Charminar. Besides this, many a businessmen in Lad Bazaar near Charminar are also facing logistic problems due to Hydraulic bollard project. Given the commercial nature of the area, many shops continue to exist in Lad Bazaar, whose businesses have been already affected due to delay.

"On the western side of Charminar, the works were started around 20 days back, and the entire road was closed and dug-up. The works are still going on at a snail's pace, and it may take more than a month. Due to this prolonged nature of the work, our businesses are affecting badly," said Mohammed Asif, a hosiery store owner.

Asif also said that when the businessmen were already facing challenge owing to economic downturn, the closed road is preventing shoppers from entering the area.

Some shopkeepers feel that even after the installation of bollards it may have adverse affect on the movement of vehicles or carts hitherto moved freely and this restriction would now put the shoppers to more difficulties to shift the goods.

"There are more than hundred shops in Lad Bazaar, which is famous not only in the City, but also at national and international level. Every tourist who comes to see historic Charminar purchases something from this street.

Variety of commodities like ready-made garments and furnishings regularly arrive from national and international markets and if the bollards were fixed, how these commodities would be moved to the shops?" asked Mohammed Zohaib, owner of Ladies Readymade garment shop.

Authorities may not provide a lease for businessmen, as they are meant to be lowered in the case of emergency, he said. According to businessmen, huge business activity and large quantities of goods are moved in the western side of historic monument, where the Lad bazaar exists, unlike other sides.

Speaking to The Hans India, CCP Mohammed Jawaduddin Ahsan, a service engineer, said that the works were started on September 23 and within the next 20 to 25 days the works would be completed on the Western side.