Secunderabad’s Monda Market, Jail Khana to get facelift soon

GHMC to take up comprehensive renovation of these premises on lines of MJ Market

Hyderabad: Hope is finally burning bright for heritage spots in the twin-city such as the likes of Monda Market, Pot Market and Old Jail Khana in Secunderabad, with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to soon take up renovation of these premises.

Sharing the news on Twitter, Urban Development Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar said he had visited the areas along with Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Thursday.

“Visited Monda Market incl Old Jail & Pot market alongwith Minister @YadavTalasani & @GHMCOnline staff today. Taking up a comprehensive restoration (to its original pristine glory) of the entire market on lines of #MJMarket as advised by minister @KTRTRS” (sic), he tweeted.

The narrow but always busy lanes of Monda Market have been a thriving economic hub in the city for ages. Established about 143 years ago to cater to the resident British Army Units stationed in Hyderabad, the market today has close to 200 shops, mostly in shabby conditions. Although the vegetable market was shifted to Bowenpally a few decades ago, the market still attracts heavy crowds.

The major landmarks nearby are the Old Jail which was established in 1826 and where freedom fighters were lodged. The heritage structure was built using monolithic granites and limestone. Several patriots, not just from Hyderabad, but also Mysore and Maharashtra in pre-Independence India were imprisoned here by British rulers.

Later, the Jail Khana was turned into a commercial complex and handed over to the municipal corporation after the formation of Andhra Pradesh. Although it was declared a heritage structure in 2006 during Secunderabad’s 200th year celebrations, no renovation work was undertaken to restore the dilapidated building. Today, over 60 tenants operate small to medium scale businesses in the Jail Khana building.

Last year, the GHMC completed the heritage restoration of Moazzam Jahi Market. The renovated heritage structure, with a repaired ceiling and flooring, a restored clock tower was reopened on the country’s Independence Day. A fruit market during the times of seventh and last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad State, Moazzam Jahi Market has now been transformed into a cultural hub.

Minister lists out historic, heritage aspect of these sights

Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav on Thursday said steps would be taken to develop the historic Monda Market on the lines of the restoration project taken up at MJ Market.

The Minister accompanied by Urban Development Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar and other senior officials made an extensive visit of the vegetable market, fish market, mutton market and pot market, and listed out the historic and heritage aspects of Monda Market. “Several small traders are eking a livelihood with businesses in the market that was set up during the Nizam’s era,” he said.

For comprehensive development of the market, Srinivas Yadav said a consultant group was appointed, which would submit its report in 15 days. “Once the report is available, a special meeting will be held with the traders here and discussions will be held,” he added. Steps would be taken to build a multi-level parking in the space available behind the old Jail Khana.

The Minister also directed the officials to widen the road from Palika Bazar Junction to Monda Market and also for shifting of the godown at the old Gandhi Hospital.

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