As the pedestrianisation project around historic Charminar in Hyderabad entered its last phase and imposition of restrictions of vehicular traffic around the monument has led to displacement of hundreds of footpath hawkers and fruit vendors, the area’s member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the State Government to take measures for their rehabilitation.
Asaduddin Owaisi along with MIM’s floor leader in the state assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi met the Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration Aravind Kumar and suggested building three new bridges across the river Musi as an alternate site for the petty traders, footpath hawkers and the fruit vendors. “Only this place would be suitable for the purpose as there is no other open space available in the old city”, he said.
He pointed out that thousands of lives were dependent on the petty traders and the hawkers and the pedestrianization of the area around Charminar will render them unemployed.
Owaisi said that the MIM welcomes the Musi River Development plan as it will help in development of the southern parts of the city. “there new bridges will increase the connectivity between the old and the new city and improve the flow of the traffic”, he said.
The representation by the MIM leadership came in the backdrop of continuing protest by the hawkers and petty traders who were up rooted from the area around Charminar and in front of the Mecca Masjid.
The pedestrianization project of Charminar has picked up the pace recently as the National Thermal Power Corporation has sanctioned Rs 8.19 crore from its funds under the Iconic Places Project for the beautification of the tourist spot.
The project works include paving the roads with red and grey granite stones, giving aesthetic look to the surroundings with a heritage façade with uniform sign boards on all the shops in the area around Charminar including the famous laad Bazar, the market of bridal accessories.
The state government intend to follow the model of area around Golden Temple in Amritsar to develop the Charminar area with all the necessary facilities for the tourist.