Charminar awaits for more facilities. No room to sit and admire the monument
No proper arrangements for people to rest for a while although there were time and again assurances on providing appropriate facilities for the tourists.
Hyderabad: Despite the flow of tourists to the old city witnessing a steep rise in recent times, lack of facilities that include a place for resting, continue to elude the visitors.
Thousands of domestic and international tourists make their way to the older parts of the city to visit the heritage sites and the world acclaimed markets around the Charminar monument from dusk till late nights. However, much to their dismay, there are no proper arrangements for the people to rest for a while although there were time and again assurances on providing appropriate facilities for the tourists.
“The only facility for tourists near Charminar is the Sulabh complex and a She toilet installed a few years ago. Tourists struggle to find a sitting place to relax after visiting the popular heritage spots and the markets,” complained Mega Rani Agarwal, a local leader from Ghansi Bazaar.
The tourists start trooping in at the market from early hours and the flow continues till police starts dispersing them around midnight. “People start visiting the Charminar from 4 am onwards. During morning hours the visitors sit on the cement blocks around Charminar or the pavement in front of the Mecca Masjid. But after 10 am, there is no place to sit or even stand due to the presence of hawkers,” said Mohd Jameel, a social worker from Charminar.
Some tourists go to the historic Mecca Masjid and sit in the open compound to relax. Nevertheless, during the prayer timings tourists are not allowed in the mosque. Hence the visitors are stranded on roads and run around searching for some hotel to sit and relax for a while.
“Cashing upon the plight of the tourists, several businessmen have opened up hotels around the Charminar. The food is sold at premium prices and a lower middle class family cannot afford it,” said Muzaffar Khan, a private cab driver. The people want the government to immediately create space and facilities for tourists to sit and relax for a while during their visit to Charminar.
