Old Hyderabad landmarks to reclaim its glory as city develops into South Asia’s ‘Night-Time Capital’.
Hyderabad: The “old” Hyderabad landmarks might well be on their way to reclaim their glory with the Telangana government unveiling plans to transform the city into a ‘Midnight Metropolis’ as envisioned in the Telangana Rising 2047 vision document.
As the newer areas of the city push ahead with fast paced development, and plans in place for Bharat Future City not too far from Hyderabad, the old iconic landmarks of the city, Charminar, Tank Bund, and the Golconda Fort figure prominently in creating a ‘After Dark Mile’ in the city that will activate Hyderabad’s night time economy through culture, markets, lighting, and community programming, in an effort the Telangana Rising document calls animating heritage corridors in the city.
Plans include curated night bazars, moonlit treks, food festivals, and neighbourhood showcases that will ensure lighting, cleanliness, signages, and transport operations to meet the needs of those setting out to explore what the city can offer during nights.
By 2047, the ‘Midnight Metropolis’ plan seeks to turn Hyderabad as South Asia’s ‘Night-Time Capital’, a free, open, 24×7 global city where culture, enterprise, and innovation “bloom continuously, powered by bold freedoms, inclusive mobility, and intelligent urban design that welcomes everyone,” according to the vision document.
To make this happen, the government has said that the state will move from permission-based control to freedom-based governance where businesses operating responsibly, will not require any new licenses, NOCs, or permits to function round the clock. On the anvil is the creation of the office of a Night Commissioner, a single empowered office coordinating safety, sanitation, mobility to achieve swift decisions and clear accountability.
To start with, the municipal administration department is expected to notify ‘night time economy’ zones that will include Gachibowli, Madhapur, Jubilee–Banjara Hills, Tank Bund, Old City, Airport, Financial District, with this list expected to expand further citywide.
With expectations of increased footfalls in such areas, the government said that HMRL, TSRTC, HMDA, and private e-mobility operators will extend services till 2 am, add night shuttles, and upgrade roads, and parking.
