Heritage Structure ‘Tipu Khan Sarai’ Or ‘Nampally Sarai’ Collapsed Due To Negligence And Apathy In Hyderabad

In what seems to be a clear result of government apathy, a portion of a 100-year-old structure, built in the memory of First World War treaty, caved in at Hyderabad on Saturday, injuring two persons. The roof of the second floor of Nampally Sarai, a heritage structure in the heart of the city, collapsed in the evening.

A few persons were present in the dilapidated building at the time of the accident and the police shifted two injured persons to the hospital.

Personnel of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) rushed to the scene and removed the debris to find out if anyone was trapped under it. Officials believe that incessant rains during the last few days had further weakened the Sarai or the guesthouse.

Located near Nampally Railway Station, Nampally Sarai was one of the few remaining heritage structures in this historic city and fell on bad times due to negligence by authorities.

The sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Pasha, the then ruler of Hyderabad State, had built the Nampally Sarai in 1919 in memory of the First World War treaty.

Then called Sullah Sarai and considered as the gateway of the old city, this two-storied building used to be abuzz with visitors to the city. The balcony of the eastern portion of Sarai had collapsed in 1998 due to lack of maintenance.

A few years ago, the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) took control of the Sarai from GHMC. HMR was planning to turn it into parking area. However, due to opposition from concerned citizens and heritage activists, it put its plans on hold.

This is the second heritage structure in Hyderabad to collapse, as just last year, the iconic ‘Mississippi Hangar’ bus shelter in Gowliguda also known as City Bus Station (CBS), a rich heritage structure from the Nizam era, collapsed.

According to heritage experts, the Hangar was imported from the USA in the 1930s and served as a first bus depot of the Nizam’s Road Transport Department. #KhabarLive