Heritage Wing Orders Resumption of Restoration Work
The department has directed the contractor to complete the works before Muharram, as it attracts thousands of Shia devotees and mourners.
Hyderabad: The Department of Heritage has directed the contractor to resume the restoration works at Alawa-e-sartouq Mubarak in Darulshifa. Officials clarified that they had not instructed to stop the works, only directed to carry out the conservation works in accordance with archaeological guidelines.
The department had received complaints from the MLC Mirza Riya Ul Hassan Effendi and activists, who alleged that the restoration works were being done without following the archaeological norms.
Following complaints that the 400-year-old Darul Shifa structure was damaged due to the use of cement during the ongoing restoration works, the Telangana Heritage department directed the GHMC contractor to use lime mortar, and they halted the works.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, N. Narsingh, deputy director (Engineering), said the department had not asked GHMC to stop the work but only directed the contractor to use lime mortar. He said the structure had already been scraped for restoration, and any further delay could cause damage, especially during the rainy season.
The department has directed the contractor to complete the works before Muharram, as it attracts thousands of Shia devotees and mourners. Heritage officials said the monument does not fall under the list of state sites and cannot impose restrictions, but advise.