The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Portion of structure in Chowmahalla collapses

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Portion of structure in Chowmahalla collapses

J.S. Ifthekhar

Roshan Bangla’s wall caves in due to Tuesday’s heavy rainfall

Dumping of loose earth in places abutting the wall of Roshan Bangla weakens it
Seepage of sewage water from illegal structures around Chowmahalla posing threat

PHOTO: Mohd. Yousuf

Picture of apathy: The birthplace of the sixth Nizam, Roshan Bangla, in Chowmahalla Palace is dumped with debris as new constructions have come up around the structure. —

Hyderabad: A part of Roshan Bangla, the magnificent mansion in which the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, was born, collapsed on Tuesday. Interestingly, this hoary edifice is situated in the famed Chowmahalla Palace, a heritage structure. Tuesday’s heavy downpour resulted in the caving in of the wall of this historic building.

More than nature’s fury, it is the apathy of the administration in checking the encroachments around the palace that led to the weakening of the heritage monument. Land sharks have been dumping loose earth abutting the wall of the Roshan Bangla on the Shahalibanda side. The ancient wall had weakened and the heavy rain brought it down, say Chowmahalla authorities.

Illegal structures

This is not all. Seepage of sewage water from illegal structures around Chowmahalla are posing a grave threat to the palace. A number of illegal structures have come up around the 200-year-old palace in violation of the heritage conservation norms. In 2006, the High Court ordered removal of the structures within 30 metres of the place. “But the Municipal Corporation miserably failed to take action against the encroachers,” said a palace hand.

Sewage from a large number of houses is accumulating against the palace wall and percolating inside. Human waste is also finding its way into the Roshan Bangla. Prince Mukarram Jah himself gave several representations to the civic body to stop outside sewage flowing into the palace. But no action was taken.

“Residents want a sewage line to be laid through the palace. This is preposterous since it is a grade one palace,” remarked an official.

Secluded bungalow

Named after Mahboob Ali Khan’s mother, Roshan Begum, the charming bungalow is tucked away in a corner of the sprawling palace near the Khilwat Mubarak. It was here that the sixth Nizam was born in 1866. While several doors of Roshan Bangla are locked, the colonnaded verandah is full of old furniture comprising cots, cupboards, carpets and sofas.

The palace authorities plan to reconstruct the collapsed wall. However, for the time being two armed guards have been posted here to keep a watch. It is proposed to restore this secluded bungalow to its pristine glory and use it for temporary exhibitions and public programmes.

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