GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar has emphasised the corporation’s objective of paying attention to heritage precincts within Hyderabad with an intention of enhancing the historical character and improving quality of life for residents.
The Commissioner chaired a meeting on ‘Aga Khan historic cities programme’, for integrating the Deccan Park in Qutb Shahi Tomb Complex, in his chambers on Tuesday.
He expressed the desire that all the visitors to Hyderabad should visit the Quli Qutb Shah Heritage Park for which there is every need to provide adequate parking facilities and presentable areas. They plan to have the main entrance to the tomb complex from the Deccan park area. They are incorporating the tourist infrastructure in this area of development
Further he instructed the officials to constitute a team comprising of concerned zonal commissioner, Additional CCP, MRO, and the Department of Archaeology to assess the possible threats for encroachments. The commissioner suggested the Aga Khan team to mark the immediate heritage precinct and the cone of vision for the visual linkages of the monuments.
The Commissioner has suggested the Aga Khan Trust to coordinate with the Heritage consultant of the GHMC and was requested to support the heritage conservation works initiated by the GHMC other than Quli Qutb Shahi tombs complex for which the team has extended its support.
Somesh Kumar said that the construction works on the heritage corridor had commenced and linkages were being established between Golconda and the Tombs complex and requested AKTC’s technical assistance towards this objective.
Somesh Kumar has requested that a formal request for transfer of Deccan Park to department of Archaeology be made keeping in view of MoU signed on 9th January 2013 wherein the objective of ‘unifying’ the Deccan Park and Tombs complex was agreed, AKTC was requested to hold make preliminary surveys in consultation with GHMC officials to arrive at the most effective manner to connect the Golconda Fort and Deccan Park for visitors.
Cameron Rashti, Director, Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme explained that the AKTC project aimed at major conservation coupled with landscape restoration at the heritage precinct.
It was also mentioned that some of the existing features like a water body, mound etc., shall be retained to support the ecological aspects of conservation.