Golconda toilets worry activists
Heritage activists have expressed their reservations on the construction of proposed permanent toilets for tourists near Darbar Hall in Golconda Fort and demanded that the authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India should reconsider this idea as it has raised many questions.
Convenor Intach, Hyderabad Chapter, Ms P. Anuradha, Dr Lubna Sarwath, Dr Athar Ali Asst. Professor Osmania University, Mr Hashmath Ali, Mr Saroj Ahmed and Dr Mohammed Safiullah visited the site and inspected the pits.
Ms P. Anuradha said Golconda was a valuable gift given to us by our erstwhile rulers, which is under the control of ASI. She said there were many questions and doubts about these toilets. From where the water would be pumped and how they would drain the sewage? For the construction of toilets they may raise the pillars on a bed of rocks. Whether they would blast the rocks? The authorities needed to clarify on these questions. ASI should follow their rules and regulations. ASI was authorised to develop public amenities for visitors within the site, but it also had to ensure that the aesthetic appearance of the monument was not disturbed.
Mr Hashmat Kamal said construction of toilets was deemed to be breaching the ancient monument act. There was no need to construct toilets in the vicinity of Bala Hisar. There is also no need to construct toilets at such a height as it would create different problems. Instead ASI could install temporary modern toilets, he added.