Rob Peter to pay Paul. This seems to be the government’s policy. How else can one figure out the idea of protecting one at the cost of other?
Recently the Water Board has taken up pipe laying works at Tank Bund to divert the hazardous effluents from the Kukatpally nala flowing into the Husainsagar lake.
But, in doing so the authorities are posing danger to an equally important monument – Saidanima’s Tomb.
Excavation works are in progress for the last few days close to the Saidanima’s Tomb, a listed protected monument. Heavy machinery is deployed to dig up the earth and there is every possibility of the vibration causing danger to the monument.
Huge pipes of 1,000 metre length and 2,200 mm in diameter are being laid and for this the Water Board is digging deep.
Interestingly, the Department of Archaeology and Museums is totally in dark about what is going on. The Water Board too has not bothered to inform it - forget about seeking permission.
“The nala diversion work is very important and there will be no danger to the monument”, assures a Water Board official.
The Saidanima’s Tomb was built by Abdul Haq Diler Jung, a high ranking official in 1883, in memory of his mother, Hazrath Saidanima Saheba.
The magnificent façade, ornately carved dome and elaborate stucco decorations is reminiscent of the Mughal and Qutb Shahi architecture.
Officials cite rules to show that there is nothing in the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act about the distance to be maintained while carrying out excavation near a State protected monuments.
“But the Water Board should have taken permission before embarking on such a huge work”, says J. Vijayakumar, Deputy Director (Technical), Department of Archaeology and Museums. Conservationists, however, do not agree with this. “Are there no safeguards to state protected monuments. Can any department take up excavation close to an identified archaeological monument,” asks P. Anuradha Reddy, convenor, INTACH.
