Pedestrianisation plans ready, at last

By J.S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, JULY 10. Hyderabad's best known mascot, `Charred Minar', may finally get back its lost sheen. The much-delayed plans to pedestrianise the area around the monument are ready - at last. If everything goes as per schedule, vehicular traffic will be re-routed along the proposed ring road within a week.

The authorities propose to divert traffic coming towards Charminar from Nayapul along Darushifa, Miralam Mandi, Daira Mir Momin, Hari Bowli junction - a stretch of about 3 kms. Similarly, traffic from Bibi Bazar towards Charminar will be diverted via Moghalpura Fire Station, Paris Cafe. In both cases the traffic will bypass Charminar. This is expected to bring down the traffic volume greatly. At present 55 per cent of the traffic that goes through Charminar is headed for areas beyond the monument. If an alternate route is opened up, it can bypass Charminar altogether, it is said.

The only hitch for re-routing the traffic is the presence of telephone junction boxes on the route. While the Transco has shifted the electric poles on the widened roads, the Telecom Department is yet to move its junction boxes. The diversion of traffic has become all the more important with the immediate area near Charminar getting narrower with extension of the grill fence around the monument.

The beautification of the historic core along Pathargatti- Charminar took off on Tuesday with installation of the new signage on a jewellery shop near Gulzar Hauz. The stainless steel sign board with copper plating is manufactured at Ahmadabad by the Vastu Shilpa Consultants, the agency which has designed the pedestriansation project. The VSC plans to erect sign boards of uniform size - 1.5 ft by 8 ft - on all shops so that the innate beauty of the arcade street gets prominence. All the sign boards will be in English. However, inside the arcade the shopkeepers will be free to have another signboard in the language of their choice. The Pathargatti facade will be cleared of the existing signages and painted surfaces so that the original stone finish is restored.

The special team, comprising officials of Tourism, various service departments and VSC, discussed on Tuesday plans to hasten phase-I of the pedestriansiation project. The team has decided to meet the Pathargatti shopkeepers, the important stake-holders of the area, to seek their views on signage control and other related matters.

To start with, it is proposed to limit the pedestrianisation project from the Pathargatti Masjid to Mecca Masjid and from Sardar Mahal to Laad Bazaar. No traffic will be allowed on this stretch. The shopkeepers, however, will be given special permits to bring merchandise in vehicles. The present central median on the Pathargatti-Charminar road will be converted into a beautiful promenade. Battery operated buses will be run here for the convenience of the people, according to Mr.Omar Jaleel, Officer on Special Duty.

The authorities are taking care to retain the old world charm and the essential trade of the area. Therefore, it is decided not to tamper with the Laad Bazaar. Of the 219 shops here, 79 still retain the old ambience. To further enhance the appeal of this bangle bazaar, all overhanging wires are proposed to be laid underground. Utilities like drinking water, toilets, help desk will be provided. Besides, granite cobbles, water fountains, fire hydrants, Internet kiosks and arches to provide shade are proposed. ``We want to maintain the local tradition at global scale,'' said Mr. Rajeev Kathpalia of VSC.

Tenders for the infrastructure work would be called shortly and within 15 months the phase-I is expected to be completed. So get ready for a new look Pathargatti.

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