Ever since Telangana government came to power, heritage activists have been criticizing the government for ignoring heritage structures in the state. However, to silence any opposition, the government has issued orders to scrap Regulation 13 of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority which means that the legal cover that protects over 150 listed heritage buildings has been removed. The order makes heritage sites vulnerable to the whims and fancies of the government.
"It is an irrational move. These historical structures were built over the years and razing them would mean finishing Telangana's history," Heritage activist M Mandal said.
The TRS government came to power with tall promises to protect the rich culture and heritage of the state. But a series of moves have raised several questions.
The government plans to build skyscrapers around the Hussain Sagar lake and replace many buildings that have cultural significance. The Telangana government also plans to build a new secretariat in place of the government chest hospital, which is also a heritage structure.
Protests erupted over the government's decision to acquire 11 acres land in Osmania University to build houses for the poor. The government also faced flak over plans to demolish the 150-year-old Osmania General Hospital to build a super specialty hospital.
"Every building here is called a heritage, and then they start protesting to save it. There are structures that can fall any time and if we government demolishes it, there is nothing wrong," Telangana Deputy CM Mahmood Ali said.
The Telangana government has been on the backfoot after demolition plans of various structures were thwarted by activists, but its latest move has now raised fresh concerns.
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