Hyderabad|India|November'2009: ”Our heritage is being destroyed in front of our eyes but we are not in a position to do anything about it. The government, which should be protecting heritage buildings with architectural, aesthetic, historic or cultural values, is insensitive to a threat caused to a 325-year-old Heritage Building, by allowing a private contractor to construct Public Urinals under BOT (Build Operate and Transfer) basis.” Mr. A. Sridhar, President and Mr. B. Nataraj, Secretary of the Building Committee that takes care of the maintenance of Goshamahal Baradari have expressed their unhappiness over the same while addressing a press conference at its premises today.

The office bearers informed that the Goshamahal Baradari Building was built in 1684 by Sultan Abdul Hassan, the last King of Qutub Shahi Dynasty. Emperor Aurangazeb installed his son, Shah Alam, in this building when he sent him to complete the conquest of Southern India. For over two years, this building was the headquarters of the Moghuls in the Deccan. Presently there are only two monuments of the Deccani Style of Architecture besides this building and they are Charminar and Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs. Freemasons of the twin cities spend considerable amounts on the upkeep of this historic building and which is why it is still an imposing monument.

The office bearers informed that the Goshamahal Baradari Building was built in 1684 by Sultan Abdul Hassan, the last King of Qutub Shahi Dynasty. Emperor Aurangazeb installed his son , Shah Alam, in this building when he sent him to complete the conquest of Southern India. For over two years, this building was the headquarters of the Moghuls in the Deccan. Only three monuments of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in the Deccani-style of architecture have weathered the passage of time of over three centuries, viz., Charminar, Qutub Shahi Tombs and Goshamahal Baradari. Freemasons of the twin cities, to whose care this Building was entrusted by the Nizam in 1933, spend considerable amount of money on the upkeep of this historic building.

The public urinal being under construction by a private party on being awarded contract on BOT basis is protruding into building and hence poses a threat to the historical structure. The representation given to GHMC officials fell on deaf ears. Now the construction of the urinal is in full swing and is in near completion.

The indifferent attitude of the authorities will leave historically important building in total ruin, which cannot be permitted at any cost. The urinal under construction is a deliberate damage to the historical structure, they opined.

The Goshamahal Baradari Masonic Building Committee has no option except to reach media and through them want to appeal to the Government to stop the construction work and remove the structure from its present location.

We are all proud of our historic buildings, monuments, parks, gardens and designed landscapes. But, GHMC, totally insensitive to the heritage status of the building, is committing a grave crime by allowing the construction of a urinal adjoining the wall of the building, which will soon damage this ancient limestone structure. This public urinal will certainly deface the beauty and aesthetics of the building, they maintained.

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009