Hyderabad: Who should bell the cat? This precisely seems to be the dilemma facing Government agencies in protection of the Golconda Fort. Construction activity is going on unchecked in the protected area of the fort with authorities turning a Nelson's eye. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) feels it is the State Government's job to take action while the latter feels responsibility rests with the former.

Diversion of sewerage

Now it has taken the judiciary to stir the authorities out of slumber. A Division Bench of the High Court has called for removal of unauthorised structures from the fort and to lay a pipeline to divert the sewerage now polluting the Katora Houz. The court has asked Special Government Pleader A. Satya Prasad to hold a meeting with various departments to draw a comprehensive plan of action.

The encroachment is one of the main reasons for Golconda Fort not being declared a World Heritage monument. As per the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the area within 100 meters of the monument is prohibited and no construction should come up here. But in Golconda Fort there are 926 houses in the prohibited region and 13 within 30 feet of the Fort wall.

A fresh enumeration done on Monday showed that there are 1,151 encroachments in Government land, 515 within 200 meters. Most of the houses here were built even before the Archaeological Act came into force. Authorities fear a law and order problem in case of eviction.

"Alternate land has to be shown before the houses are removed," says Jitender Das, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI.

However, the Hyderabad Collector R. V. Chandravadan said the court orders would be implemented at any cost.

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