Author: Mohammed Hussain
Hyderabad: The initiative as part of the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Wednesday installed electric bollards at Gulzar House near to the Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, in order to prevent vehicles from getting too close to the heritage structure.
Earlier, their use to be a cement bollards but this has not been work out, as it was permanently constructed near the Charminar old bus stand. Observing the situation, the bollards have been installed, which only allow pedestrians to pass through, are retractable and can be pushed into the ground in case of emergencies. Soon the same electric bollards would be seen across the Charminar.
GHMC Khairatabad Zonal Comissinoer Musharraf Ali Faruqui posted a video of bollards on his twitter handle and said, “Electric Bollards installed at Charminar to demarcate pedestrian zone and restrict vehicular movement, Ambulances, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles can be allowed.”
Speaking about the technical progress of Bollards, Assistant Engineer of the (CPP) Project said, “At the moment 20 Bollards have been installed in which 7 are electric, these are operated by a remote control system. A box with its machine has been set up near to it if in case of emergency it can also be operated with a help of hand pump fixed into the box which is known as a manual system.”
He further explained that the height of bollard is 700 mm and width 2.20 mm, earlier two-wheelers were allowed but from Wednesday they have been stopped,” Mr. Sai added.
The Charminar Pedestrianization Project (CPP) aims to beautify the area around Charminar, which is expected to cost around Rs 35 crore.
According to Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP Asad Uddin Owaisi, the open space at Old Charminar Bus Stand, which is proposed to take up for Muli-Level Parking (MLP), may be provided a setback leaving certain land for widening of that particular stretch to ease the traffic congestion and for utilizing as a bus bay.
Moreover, the project also includes the road widening form Lad Bazar end to Murghi Chowk by acquiring the properties on both sides of the road, since this particular stretch is causing congestion and inconvenience in negotiating free left for the traffic coming from Moti Gali.
This project by the GHMC has also resulted in a considerable loss of business for the dozens of street vendors around Charminar as they were displaced for many months. Though not all the hawkers will be asked to relocate, dozens will still lose a significant amount of potential business.
Attempting to resolve the issue, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had previously urged the Telangana government to construct three bridges across the Musi River to help the displaced hawkers and street vendors. moahammedhussain.reporter@gmail.com
Inputs from The News Minute.