Hyderabad: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has appealed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate urgent restoration and maintenance works at Hyderabad’s historic Golconda Fort and surrounding heritage sites. Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin met with ASI Telangana Superintendent Dr. Nikhil Das on Wednesday, June 11, to discuss key issues, including the long-pending desilting of the Golconda Khandak (moat), which reportedly hasn’t been cleaned since India’s independence in 1947, as per a report by the Siasat.
Following AIMIM’s earlier representation to the ASI headquarters in New Delhi, an inspection was conducted by the ASI Telangana team. Mohiuddin informed that a report is currently being drafted to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC), after which the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will carry out the desilting operations.
Additionally, the AIMIM legislator requested a NOC for the proposed SKY Cable project, a tourism-focused initiative to be jointly implemented by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Telangana Tourism. Mohiuddin also highlighted the neglected condition of several mosques within Golconda Fort and in the Shaikpet area, which remain closed and in need of attention.
“The ASI team has scheduled another inspection later this week to evaluate the condition of these sites,” Mohiuddin posted on social media platform X.
Another concern raised was the encroachment and water management of Shah Hatim Lake near the fort. The MLA urged ASI to address the issue of the surplus water outlet and tackle the lake’s shrinking size due to local encroachments over the past two decades. The ASI official acknowledged the concern and assured a follow-up.
Mohiuddin also proposed the cleaning and restoration of the historic Katora Houz located within the Golconda premises. He mentioned that the HMDA and Telangana Tourism would undertake this project as well, with any revenue generated from tourism activities to be equally shared with ASI.
AIMIM’s proactive steps aim to rejuvenate Hyderabad’s rich heritage, restore public access to important Islamic sites, and improve tourism infrastructure around these iconic locations.
