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Heritage activists raise a stink over toilet construction at Golkonda Fort
The construction of toilets inside Golconda Fort was stopped after heritage activists protested here on Sunday As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains Act, 1958, no construction is allowed within 100 metre radius of Archaeological Survey of India ASI protected monuments
Hyderabad: The construction of toilets inside Golconda Fort was stopped after heritage activists protested here on Sunday. As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains Act, 1958, no construction is allowed within 100 metre radius of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments.
The ASI Hyderabad Circle started the construction of toilets in an open ground opposite the Bala Hisar. A 20ft x 15 ft RO unit and a fountain were planned and pits were dug up.
Speaking to The Hans India, the superintending archeologist, ASI Hyderabad Circle, Milan Kumar Chauley said, “The work was sanctioned from the director general’s office ASI but we have now taken approval to stop the work and reduce the size of the structure.”
It is learnt that the work was initiated from the Monument Mitra Fund and GMR was funding the project. P Anuradha Reddy, convenor, INTACH Hyderabad chapter said, “How can concrete structures come up inside the fort? There are several alternate and organic ways.”
Mohammad Safiullah of Deccan Heritage Trust said, “There is no need for a permanent structure. If the authorities are sincere about the world heritage status, they would never do this. There is a need to appoint an international level contestant.”
The ASI officials said that visitors, once they start their walk to the top of the hill, for 700 metres there is no toilet facility, thus there is a need for toilets. The ASI is planning to set up a water system with a 5,000 litre tank on top of the hill and 7-8 water kiosks at various locations. The water would be supplied through gravity. Milan said that there will be a steel tank which would be camoflouged so that it would not be an eyesore.
