Warns that seepage from the storm water drain could severely damage Hyderabad’s iconic structure

Hyderabad’s Charminar, a historic monument that has weathered the elements for 425 years, now faces a unique existential threat: underground pipelines in its proximity. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has raised an alarm over pipeline work being carried out just 20 metres from the iconic structure.

Superintending Archaeologist Milan Kumar Chauley has made a representation to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner about the long-term harm the ongoing work is likely to cause.

“The pipeline work can be very dangerous for the building. Earlier, it was 1 ft in diameter. Now the civic body has dug up to a depth of 6-7 ft to lay two 3-ft diameter pipelines about 20 metres from the building. The pipelines are bound to leak and cause long-term harm to the Charminar,” Mr. Chauley said.

“The monument is a limestone mortar structure, and water seepage below the ground will result in capillary action rendering the mortar brittle, and make it unstable over a period of time,” said Mr. Chauley, who has cited the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR) in his representation.

The pipeline work is part of the much-delayed Charminar Pedestrianisation Project. “We are laying two 0.9 metre pipelines, one for storm water, and another for civic utilities, such as fibre optic cables. Nearly 80% of work is done, we will complete the rest by the end of this month,” said a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) official.

Not the first time

This is not the first time the ASI has raised concerns over work in close proximity to the Charminar. “I have sent a number of letters to our head office. The GHMC is using pneumatic drills to remove the older road layer, and the vibrations are a cause of concern. They also used earthmovers to dig deep trenches and lay pipelines nearby. But there has been no response,” said Gopal Rao, an ASI officer at the Charminar site.

In January, the Centre amended the AMASR to allow infrastructure projects within a 100-metre radius of a protected monument. “I have visited the site many times. I wanted the pedestrianisation work to take place. But the heavy-handed way they are doing it is alarming. I have informed the Delhi office of the Indian National Trust for Cultural Heritage (Intach). They will take up the issue,” said Anuradha Reddy, convener of Intach in Hyderabad.