Work Begins on Restoration of Mir Alam Mandi

Hyderabad: After an inordinate delay, the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority has taken up restoration work of the 200-year-old Mir Alam Mandi in Old City.

Established in the Nizam era, the market continues to be a hub for people to buy vegetables, groceries and spices. However, the market condition has deteriorated over the period of time due to water leakages from the roof, creating unhygienic conditions for the customers and vendors.

After completing nine sheds a year ago, the works had been halted to clear the site without disrupting vendors' daily business. The construction, which has been taken up at an estimated cost of `10.5 crore, picked up pace again about a month ago. Following the work's completion, around 300 vendors can do their business under new sheds, with improved roofing and seat arrangements.

Mohammed Shaker, chairman of the Mir Alam Market Retail Association, said, “The existing sheds were built around 80 years ago when the market was in an open space”.

Vegetable vendor Irfan Pasha said, “There is no alternative to shift their business outside the market. To ensure work gets completed we adjust at nearby shops. We are waiting to finish the work early.”

Another vendor at an already completed shed, Naveen Kumar said, “Earlier rainwater used to enter the selling area through roof leaks, but the new sheds are higher and have better seating arrangements.” He hoped that officials would soon take up sewage and road repair works in the market and make the premises more convenient and hygienic.

An official said that work on 30 more sheds is pending, and the fabrication works are currently underway. Efforts are being made to complete it soon and offer better facilities, the official added.