Moazamjahi market to get a face-lift

HYDERABAD: Civic authorities have decided to renovate the over 150-year-old Moazamjahi market without hampering its original design with a view that its architectural splendour is preserved.
"We are planning to carry out repair and restoration of the entire market building. Without making any major changes, we want to retain its original beauty," Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad additional commissioner (estates) G Ravi Babu told the STOI.
A preliminary conservation plan has been submitted to the MCH by two private conservation architects.Their suggestions include civil work repairs, arresting of seepage from roofs, replacing falling roof materials and streamlining the present signage and hoardings which are now hiding the facade of the granite structure.
The market is divided into seven blocks ��� open spaces at the entrance and middle of the yard. The total roof area of all blocks is 39,000 square feet. There are about 120 shops in the market including a few which were closed down.
The shops include provision stores, general stores and ice-cream parlours and fabrication, meat, furniture, metallic and optical stores. As per the plan, even the original drainage system, which had clogged decades ago, will be redone, added Ravi Babu.
Damage due to human interference like staircases built within shops andnailings on walls will be undone. At a number of places, stones within the building will be replaced by original rough Tandur granite.
The project is likely to cost the civic body Rs 25 lakhs. The final plan, with minute details about the outlay and exact repairs, will be ready in another week. "The renovation work is touted to begin in a month and will be ready by June.
None of the shop owners will have to vacate, except minor space adjustments they will be expected to make while the work is in progress," said the MCH official.
As part of the face-lift, footpaths would be developed on the premises and ornamental lighting will be set up. But sellers at the bazarath (open shandy) at the central open space will have to vacate.