Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has decided to hire a private consultant for the maintenance of the iconic Moazzam Jahi Market. Arvind Kumar, the principal secretary of the Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), recently set a deadline of three to four months for the restoration of the heritage structure. The market was established in 1935 as a place for vegetable and fruit vendors to sell their wares.
Third and fourth generation descendants of the original vendors continue to run stores here. Unfortunately, today, drainage water overflows in the inner circle of the building, hoardings are nailed to its ageing walls, and garbage is dumped in and around the premises. The heritage structure is nearly inaccessible to the public. Some shop-owners fear that they may be asked to vacate their shops to allow for restoration works to be carried out. But Mr Arvind Kumar has assured them that leaseholders will not be displaced.
Mr Arvind has said that the antique shops, eateries, and public toilets will be established in the spaces that are currently unused. As part of the restoration works of the 83-year-old heritage structure, the defunct clock tower will be fixed, hoardings, lighting, and the signboards of shops will be removed, areas of the roof that are leaking will be repaired, and the drainage overflow issue will be addressed. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has already invited tenders and finalised HMT Ltd as the consultant for the restoration and maintenance of the building.
