HMDA plans multi-level underground parking facility at Paigah Palace complex in Hyderabad

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has floated tenders to construct a multi-storey underground car park at the Paigah Palace complex in the city’s Pattigadda area. The ₹7.78 crore project is expected to be built on the palace grounds, which is home to Devdi Iqbal ud Dowla or Mardana Mahal, built in the 1890s.

Obaid ur Rahman, a Paigah son who lives on the other side of the palace, said, “How can they build something like this here? Where is the location? Do they want to build it under the gardens or under the fountain in the front? They restored the palace and now they want to demolish it.” “In Europe, people park their cars and walk towards heritage sites such as churches and monasteries. Why can’t our people do this?” Mr. Rahman said he was concerned about how the plan would be implemented. Meanwhile, on the other side of the road, an overpass is being built in front of the palace where Rahman Bey lives.

HMDA’s rules

The palace is located in a lush green residential area of ​​5 acres and is a Schedule IIB listed heritage site as per HMDA’s own rules requiring smart conservation. “These are local landmarks that contribute to the image and identity of the city,” says the 1995 rulebook of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, the predecessor of HMDA. The only concession regarding the heritage value of the property is the condition applicable to bidders in the tender document: “25% of the value from total similar works required (i.e. ₹1.95 cr) should be met from renovation/construction of heritage structures only.”

Use of explosives expected

But despite the proposed car park being close to the nineteenth-century heritage palace, the tender document stipulates the use of explosives to carry out the work. According to the tender document, “The contractor will use licensed blaster for the blasting process. The contractor will act in accordance with the Indian Explosives Act and other applicable rules during the execution of the work. It is the responsibility of the contractor to see that the work of other institutions in the vicinity is not obstructed.” What this explosion might do to the palace structure, which is built mostly of limestone and rock, is something engineers must take into account.

The palace complex stands on five acres of land. | Photo Credit: Serish Nanisetti

The palace was first the office of HUDA and then the US Consulate. It returned to the custody of the State government following the relocation of the US Consulate to the Nanakramguda facility in 2023. Now it will be the office of HMDA. According to officials, HMDA’s existing offices near Ameerpet are preparing to shift to Paigah Palace. Currently, HMDA offices are located in Swarna Jayanti Complex, an eight-storey facility spread over 3.2 acres of land parcel in Ameerpet. How to accommodate these dozens of officers, their on-duty staff and fleets of vehicles in the Paigah Palace and its rear annexes will be another challenge.

In the tender for the project, six months are given for the completion of the project.