CHARMINAR PEDESTRIANISATION PROJECT

The idea of Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) was oated in 1990s. Only a granite road and
iron dividers were added to separate the vehicular and pedestrian traf c. However a few religious
structures, politics and electric sub stations acted as obstacles for this project to be completed.
Historians and environmentalists have been urging the government to materialise the project as this
involved the widening of roads, the upgradation of the area around the vicinity of the monument and
the conservation of the monument itself, which has been tampered by the pollution and vibrations from
all the vehicular movement around it. There were protests by the locals and AIMIM activists against the
CPP.

CPP project was started by making a 800m pedestrian-only

radius around the monument and removing the vendors and
hawkers from the surroundings of Charminar, which created an
uproar and saw a protest for about three days from the vendors
and hawkers.
Of cials then allocated space opposite to permanent shops
mostly selling jewellery to them, which caused massive
turbulence by these shopkeepers. They protested saying that
these hawkers and vendors caused a negative impression on
their customers and also did not do justice to their shop front on
which they spent a lot of money decorating. They closed down
their shops and protested with plaque cards requesting the
government to remove them from near their shops. A case was
also led by the shopkeepers against the presence of the
vendors near their shops, which is still going on in court
A survey was conducted by HHF on ground amongst the
vendors, which revealed that the project has adversely affected
their livelihood and they are now making 50% less than they
previously did.

CONCLUSIO
The 15 years of delay in implementing this project has caused the monument much harm, and poor
implementation of it is a huge disappointment. A thorough survey and consideration of the socio-
economic status and opinions of the people would’ve have been a good rst step to this project. It was
necessary to bring Charminar pedestrianisation project into reality to conserve the monument and also
not lose the character of the place, but the cost is being paid by the harmless vendors and hawkers who
are struggling to make a living. The cultural and social impact assessment was a crucial step that they
missed out on.
The of cials propose to make three bridges on the Musi river dedicated only to hawkers and vendors,
but this is just a promise. When it would come into reality is quite uncertain.

Renuka U | 20PG03 | M.ARCH II SEM | BMSSA

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