Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Heritage committee alleges violation

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Though two heritage structures in the Old Gandhi Medical College site, where an Urban Entertainment Centre is coming up, have been found to be intact by the Heritage Conservation Committee, a glaring omission has come to the fore.

The developer of the Urban Entertainment Centre is yet to submit conservation plan, designs of new structures coming up in the vicinity of the heritage structures, for approval of Heritage Conservation Committee through MCH and HUDA.

In 2003 the heritage conservation committee permitted Tourism Department for the construction of urban entertainment centre in Public Private Partnership leaving 12 m area on all sides of the two heritage buildings but directed that the plan and designs be submitted for its prior approval before commencing the work.

However, the developer has ignored this basic stipulation and began construction by cordoning off the heritage structures without submitting required plans and designs for approval and clearance, according to HCC members. The HCC approval is necessary to ensure that the designs and plans are in compliance with the requirements of controlling surroundings of Grade I heritage building regulations 13 (9), both for conservation work and for architectural clearance of the new structures to be built in the premises. It may be recalled that High Court directed the Heritage Conservation Committee to inspect the GMC site and give a report on status of two notified heritage structures on the premises following a petition expressing concern about the safety of heritage structures there.

The report sponsored by Ford Foundation mentioned that GMC was the property of Paigah in 1890 AD meant for supervision of functioning of Basheerbagh Palace and later with the administration of royal palaces.

In 1954 , Gandhi Medical College was opened in it and the above two buildings were listed for their architectural value.

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