Date:18/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/18/stories/2006111817570300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Entertainment centre faces a `heritage' block

Staff Reporter

Demolition work on former GMC premises stopped

MCH and heritage panel of HUDA oppose the work

There are two heritage structures on the premises

HYDERABAD: The construction of an urban family entertainment centre on the former premises of the Gandhi Medical College at Basheerbagh has run into rough weather after the MCH and officials from the Heritage Committee of HUDA stalled the demolition of the structures there.

The town planning officials of MCH approached the police on Thursday opposing the demolition drive of G.S. Group of Companies. The reason they cited was the presence of two heritage structures listed with HUDA. As a result, on Friday, the work came to a standstill.

"Lady Hydari Club and City Infrastructure Board building on the premises have heritage value. The G.S. Group was supposed to submit the layout designs and measures it would take to protect these two structures before demolishing others," a HUDA official said.

MCH officials pointed out that since the G.S. Group did not submit designs, they had to approach the police to stop the demolition. The centre, conceived by the Tourism Department, was planned to house multiplexes, malls, indoor game-parks, conference halls and a five-star hotel among other facilities.