Hyderabad: Historic Mir Alam Mandi wallows in abject neglect

Mir Chowk: The dilapidated condition of Mir Alam Mandi, the oldest and biggest of all the markets in the city, continues to pose serious threat to visitors and vendors. Even though the matter has been taken to the notice of authorities concerned several times, no initiative has been taken to renovate the structure built in Nizam's era. 

Social activists claim that the roof of the Mandi can fall any time and drew attention to the collapse of 'Mississippi Hangar' in 2018 (known as Gowliguda bus station) which was used as a major bus station before MGBS. Spread over five-acre land, this mandi is more than 200-year-old and continues to operate mostly by vendors sitting at 41 shops made of tin-shade.

"People coming from different localities to the market pass through the Kaman (gate) of the Mandi which is also in dilapidated condition. A pillar support was given to the Kaman by the authorities earlier this year. But still chunks are falling. What if these chunks fall on someone? It may risk lives of people here," said Mohammed Ismail, a worried vendor sitting near the Kaman.

During the Congress tenure, there was a proposal to renovate entire Mir Alam Mandi, but still there is no initiative in this direction. The situation of the market is posing risk. The officials concerned inspected it many times, but no efforts were made to restore the market. Government and Archaeology department should take serious note of the issue," said Mohammed Ahmed, a social activist.

"Vendors running their businesses under the asbestos sheets are repairing the damages by spending from their own pockets. When the government came up with several model markets in recent years, it should have also focused on existing market places. Why is it not possible to come up with some sort of solution for the market and why are the authorities neglecting one of the oldest markets? They should come up with the proposals to ensure smooth functioning of the market without displacing the vendors," said Mir Muzaffar Ali, president, Mir Alam Mandi Vegetable Commission Agent Association.

The GHMC officials had come up with an idea of renovating the market a few years back, but the proposal was opposed by the members of the market. "There are 43 wholesale shops and more than 300 vendors. About 80 per cent of those running businesses own the spaces, and hence they opposed the renovation with the fear of losing ownership. Since the condition of the market and Kaman is weakening, the GHMC authorities should come up with a new proposal," he added.