Nampally Seari Hyderabad

in the H. E. H. The Nizam

State of Hyderabad

GHMC panel gives assent to

construction of dorm for women

The heritage structure of Nampally Serai is

in cross-hairs after the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC)’s Standing
Committee gave assent to construction of a
Transit Dorm for women at the location.

The Standing Committee resolution

approved on December 8: “Construction of
new RCC building for proposed transit
dorms with 187 beds for women at
Nampally Serai.”

However, the resolution is ambiguously

worded: “Dismantling old dilapidated
building/office rooms and using the existing
vacant land behind the existing heritage
structure by including the provisions for
firefighting system, building elevation…
The Central and State governments’ share
will be arrived to proposed 60:40 ratio after
obtaining necessary administrative sanction
from the government.”

Nampally Serai was included in the list of

protected heritage structures by the
Municipal Administration and Urban
Development department in 2006 via GO
Ms No. 185. Earlier, when the State
government planned to demolish the Irrum
Manzil, another Grade IIB heritage
structure, the Telangana High Court
scuppered the State’s plan. “Even if a part of
the heritage building is being retained, the
proposal has to be approved by the Heritage
Conservation Committee (HCC) before
implementation,” says Sajjad Shahid of
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural
Heritage.

“The HC had ruled that Regulation 13

stands and the only body that can take a
decision regarding this would be the HCC.
But the newly-constituted HCC doesn’t
follow the norms laid for constitution o
 HCC as per the statute,” said Mr. Shahid,
adding that demolition of the heritage
structure would be contempt of court.

The double-storied Nampally Serai was built

along with the railway station for the
Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway. While
the station began functioning from 1907, the
serai was completed sometime in 1910. Also
known as Tipu Khan Serai after its
benefactor Tipu Khan, an equestrian trainer
for the Sixth Nizam, there is an attached
masjid called Masjid-e-Tipu Khan Serai
across the road.

“This is part of an ongoing effort to erase

the city’s heritage. First they stop
maintenance and once the building looks old
they abandon it and the next step is a plan to
demolish it. It will be big loss for the city if
this plan goes ahead,” said convenor of
INTACH Anuradha Reddy.

(From the Hindu Newspaper )

The Nampally Serai’s history

History: It was built during the ruling period of the Nizam VI Mir Mahboob Ali
Khan Bahadur in memory of the agreement of worldwar I and it is old for more than
100 years. Regarding its renovation and decoration details are mentioned in the above
paragraphs. This two-storey building was constructed at the opposite side of the
Hyderabad railway station and was deemed as an entry door to Hyderabad city in the
olden time.
 Food and ration free supply: In this Seari all travelers were provided free
cooked feed or ration to each and every traveler.

The total area of this heritage building is 5800 square yards.

By Mohammed Abdul Hafeez

hafeezanwar@Yahoo.com