Hyderabad: Gulzar Houz turns into plastic dump two years after Rs 30 lakh restoration

Two years after its lavish restoration and inauguration, Hyderabad’s 400-year-old Gulzar Houz fountain has fallen into neglect, now littered with plastic waste. Once a heritage attraction, it suffers from poor maintenance and irregular illumination, driving away visitors and selfie-takers.

Hyderabad: Two years after the much hyped inauguration, the Gulzar Houz, a nearly four centuries old fountain, is reduced into a plastic waste dump yard.

The historic fountain after months of careful reconstruction was inaugurated in October, 2023. The Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) had spent nearly Rs. 30 lakh on its rebuilding. The Deccan Terrain Heritage, a company with expertise in heritage conservation had reconstructed the structure and brought it back to life.

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“For a few months, things seemed to have changed and the fountain was attractive and clean. But then, the whole thing went back and it is now reduced into a waste dump yard. Plastic bags and bottles are dumped inside the water,” said Sirajuddin, a local shopkeeper.

Gulzar Houz is located in the centre of the four arches – the Machli Kaman, Sher-e-Batil Kaman, Kali Kaman and Charminar Kaman, and lies on the northern side of the Charminar monument.

The fountain was originally built by Mir Momin Astarabadi, who served as Prime Minister under the rule of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. It was known as Char-su-ka-Houz which over time evolved into “Suk-Houz” and eventually came to be known as “Gulzar Houz.”

After the reconstruction, the octagonal fountain has around 200 spouts arranged in a sequence and is also adorned by white tiles with a blue pattern.

Apart from placing olive green-painted metal barriers to secure the structure, authorities installed LED lights which add beauty to the fountain at night.

“The fountain is not illuminated regularly. Also, people are not standing and taking selfies as it was when it was inaugurated after renovation because of the polluted water and plastic dump,” said Sumit Agarwal, a local trader.