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Derelict Deccan Park that lies unused for the past 15 years will be developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and merged with the Qutub Shahi Tombs

A new lease of life is in the offing for the beleaguered Deccan Park that lies close to the Qutub Shahi Tombs and the historic Golconda Fort.

Developed at a cost of Rs 3 crore, the Deccan Park right from the beginning was ridden with one controversy or the other and as a result has not been thrown open to public.

Launched in 1999, the several entities staked claim on the land. The controversy with the Idgah committee now laid to rest after the court case, the decks are now cleared.

Spread over 30 acres, the park has a swimming pool, a kitty pool for children, conference hall and a facility for a toy train ride, but the lack of funds and apathy has turned the park into a ghost town if one may call it.

Thanks to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) that is restoring the Qutub Shahi Tombs at a cost of Rs 100 crore, it is also going to beautify the park and merge it with the tombs.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of January 9, 2013 between the Department of Archaeology, Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) and Aga Khan Trust for Culture the Deccan Park would also be developed and integrated with the Qutub Shahi Heritage Park.

According to the MoU, the landscaping of the Deccan Park is to start after three years. Lalitha, senior officer, QQSUDA said that the AKTC officials made a visit to the park recently.

Azim Osman, consulting engineer, Department of Archaeology, Telangana says, “If there is a common entrance starting at the Deccan Park tourists would be able to have a glimpse of the whole area.

There is a man-made mount of 50-feet in height at the Deccan Park from where one can see the Golconda Fort and the Qutub Shahi Tombs.”

Speaking to CityTAB, Ratish Nanda, project director, AKTC said, “The Deccan Park was carved out of the original Qutub Shahi Tombs complex.

Our endeavour is to integrate the park with the Qutub Shahi Heritage Park and make one large heritage site for the 72 monuments. We have requested the GHMC to start some preparatory work and then we would follow suit.”

Presently, 80 employees mostly outsourced work at the Deccan Park. A worker (name withheld on request) said that if the park is merged with the Department of Archaeology and Museums it would be a boon as most of them have been working on meagre salaries.

By:T P Venu