Motorists plying between Kushaiguda and Tarnaka stretch can hope for a hassle-free drive within a few months as the controversy over ‘demolishing' the decades-old Moula Ali arch has been resolved amicably.
The Archaeology Department, GHMC and Roads and Buildings Department associated with the developmental works of the arch and its surroundings have worked out a formula to convince two groups which were at loggerheads over its demolition. While one group wanted to pull the arch down to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the other group insisted on refurbishing it keeping in view the religious sentiments.
Officials of these departments convened a series of meetings with leaders of two groups and finalised the plan. As per the plan, two-lane slip road will be developed on two sides of the arch for convenience of motorists. This will enable authorities to lay roads without demolishing the structure and simultaneously restoration works could also be taken up.
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‘Double relief'
“It's like a double relief for us. We are laying new roads without causing any damage to the Moula Ali ‘kaman' and thereby protecting religious sentiments,” a senior official said. R & B Deputy Executive Engineer (City Division) S. Ashok said work would commence shortly and land acquisition was in progress.
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At present, motorists were travelling four kilometres extra to reach Tarnaka via Housing Board Colony, ZTC and Lalapet flyover instead of directly coming from the ‘kaman'.
After declaring it as ‘unsafe', the R & B Department had constructed a wall in January last to bar entry of vehicles. Authorities said traffic restrictions were enforced based on directions given by the High Court. The court advised the R&B Department to construct a wall to prevent movement of traffic through the arch as it was in a dilapidated condition and may collapse any time.
The court also asked the department to file a compliance report. After a technical committee comprising officials from JNTU and R&B Department declared the arch unsafe in 2007, a committee with authorities from Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Wakf Board, Archaeology Department and GHMC was constituted to look into its restoration and safety aspect.