Once constructed to serve as drinking water storage facility, Katora Houz in Golconda has now been reduced to a garbage dump and a septic tank. The dumping of garbage and trash by locals has turned this beautiful tank into an eyesore in the magnificent fort.
A part of the Golconda Fort, the tank was constructed in the 16 century for water storage. There were underground channels leading to Durgam Cheruvu in Jubilee Hills from where water used to flow into the Katora Houz. The Qutb Shahi also planned it as a precautionary measure in the time of war, it was said.
“True to the fears of the rulers, the water body came handy in 1687, when Aurangazeb laid siege to the fort,” says, M.A. Qayyum, former Deputy Director, the State Archaeological and Museums.
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Seven years ago, the Water Board and the municipal authorities drained out the water body and cleaned it on the court directions. But, now only water hyacinth was cleared from the water body sometimes.
Activists blamed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for not doing much for the Katora Houz. “The ASI was not sincere in its approach. Till now, they had not succeeded in ensuring stoppage of drain water into the tank,” says Anuradha Reddy, member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach).
They feel that the authorities need to take up de-silting, conservation and crack filling works to bring the tank back to its old glory.
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When contacted, an official of the ASI on condition of anonymity said that they would shortly write to the GHMC to clean up the water hyacinth and take steps to prevent dumping of garbage in the area.