Ibrahimpatnam’s Wednesday shanty survives real estate boom

Despite rapid urbanisation and soaring property prices, Ibrahimpatnam continues to preserve its traditional Wednesday shanty. The weekly market, once known for livestock trade, remains a vital hub for local vendors and residents, reflecting the suburb’s enduring cultural identity.

Hyderabad: The real estate boom, high rise buildings, skyrocketing prices of land and commercial development in Ibrahimpatnam, located 40 km away from the city in south east of Ranga Reddy district, has failed to erase the history and the aura of the city’s suburb.

As if oblivious to all the fast developments and urbanization, the region continues to retain its charm and unique aspects such as the weekly ‘Wednesday shanty’.

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Come Wednesday and hawkers squatter on the road leading to Ibrahimpatnam village. Blankets, edibles, vegetables, clothes, plastic articles, kitchenware, imitation jewellery, and farm products are sold at the market by the small-time businessman.

Mohd Anwar, a vendor from Puranapul is a regular at the market. “I have been visiting Ibrahimpatnam for trade purposes for the last four decades. In my early days, only bicycles and dhoti clad men were seen on the muddy path, now cars and scooters move around on the road. The scene has rapidly changed in the last one decade, yet its characteristic Ibrahimpatnam Bazaar continues to be conducted on Wednesday,” said Anwar.

Mallesh P, a used clothes vendor said that he travels all the way from LB Nagar, to the market. “My father was a regular at the market for several years, selling used clothes and blankets. He passed away in 1999, now I am continuing the business,” said Mallesh.

The shanty was popular for sheep, cattle and poultry, however the livestock business has declined over the years. “Now only vegetables, clothes, imitation jewellery, handicrafts and other goods are sold. Local people visit the market for their needs,” said Monaiah, a local resident.

The property prices have escalated over the recent years in Ibrahimpatnam mandal and its surroundings.

An acre of land in the villages is in between Rs. 2 and Rs. 5 crores, while on the populated colonies close to the Nagarjuna Sagar highway road, a 150 square yard plot is priced anywhere between Rs. 40 and Rs. 50 lakh.

The village’s name is derived from Ibrahim Qutb Shah, who built a lake known as Ibrahim Cheruvu, which became the focal point for the settlement that grew around it.