Portion of 100 year Tipu Khan 'Sarai' Collapses

Hyderabad: A portion of century-old Tipu Khan ‘Sarai’ or generally called as Nampally ‘Sarai’, built by the sixth Nizam as a guest house collapsed on Saturday (October 19) evening. The Heritage Building located near Nampally railway station came down crumbling, injuring two. Receiving the information the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) team reached the spot to clear the debris.

According to Heritage reports the structure was built in 1919 by sixth Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan. It was built close to the Nampally railway station so that it can be used as a rest house for travellers coming from the station. It is also said that it was built as a remembrance of First World War treaty. It was declared as a heritage structure in 2011 by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

Speaking to NewsMeter Mr Musharraf Ali Faruqui, Commissioner of GHMC central zone said, “The entire building has been currently cordon off and a structural stability test will be conducted and based on reports of the test, further actions will be taken.” In a drive conducted by GHMC in May, the building was served a notice asking for the concerned person to repair the building or to allow GHMC to demolish the building, said Musharraf.

Importance of the Heritage Structure

Talking about the heritage site Ms. Anuradha Reddy, Co-Convenor of INTACH Telangana said, “Nampally station was referred as Hyderabad’s broad gauge and Kachiguda was referred as Hyderabad’s meter gauge. Nampally Sarai as the name goes was a guest house for the travellers. Being so close to the railway station, each room‘s price was Rs.1 back then. Usually people going to Haj would take accommodation at Sarai guest house. It was neglected for so many years and has now ended up collapsing.”

Not too long ago another heritage structure Moula Ali Kaman a ceremonial arch suffered a structural damage, due to thunderstorm. Even Moti Darwaza of Golconda Fort collapsed in September due to heavy rains.