Hyderabad Enters Pearl City Networks

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation commissioner M T Krishna Babu, on Wednesday, said that Hyderabad has been selected by the union ministry for Urban Development for Pearl City Networks, for the India Urban Heritage Demonstration program for Heritage Management". Hyderabad has been selected under the category of "mega cities" with a global character, along with Ajmer, Pushker and Varanasi, which were selected under the categories of cities of cultural and religious significance and hill cities, respectively.

The commissioner said that this project would be a Heritage Conservation Project aided by the World Bank.

Representatives from the World Bank and CEPT University visited GHMC on Wednesday, for the inaugural meeting of "Inclusive Heritage Based City Development Strategy" for Hyderabad city.

Addressing the gathering, the GHMC commissioner said that GHMC had taken up certain initiatives in the recent past for the restoration and conservation of Murgi Chowk at Charminar, and that a consultant has been appointed for the preparation of DPRs for the restoration and conservation of Mozamjahi Market and Mahboob Mansion (Malakpet).

He also said that the GHMC has initiated the strengthening of a heritage cell, and also appointed a conservation architect exclusively for the heritage cell.

The commissioner said that he felt that the Heritage Conservation Committee must conduct a sensitising program for civil engineers and architects, on the preservation of heritage structures at regular intervals.

He also suggested that the HCC recommend, through the HMDA, exemption of property tax for heritage structures.

Speaking on the subject "Inclusive Heritage Based City Development Strategy (IHCDS)", Saswat Dindyopadhyay of CEPT (Centre For Environmental Planning & Technology) University said that the university would provide 2 graduates / urban planners for the strengthening of the GHMC's heritage cell.

Chief city planner V Narender Rao, in his key note address on heritage management initiatives in Hyderabad and the Heritage Conservation Committee, made a presentation on "Heritage Regulations and Initiatives in Hyderabad".

The GHMC commissioner also announced that a meeting of stake-holders would be conducted on Thursday at the GHMC head office, in this regard. (INN)