Telangana proposes garden, museum at Qutub Shahi tombs

The Telangana government has sent a proposal of Rs.85 crore to the central government for restoration works at Qutub Shahi tombs, the final abode of Qutub Shahi rulers at Golconda here.

The state government proposes to develop landscaped gardens, site museum and illumination of the monuments spread over 104 acre royal necropolis.

Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, B.P. Acharya, told reporters on Tuesday that the proposal was sent following an announcement made in the union budget for 2015-16.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech, had announced that eight heritage sites will be restored. The list includes the Qutub Shahi tombs.

Acharya said the proposed project will be taken up after the ongoing restoration and conservation project by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture reaches a certain stage.

The trust commenced the work in 2013, following a memorandum of understanding signed with the department of archaeology and museums.

Ratish Nanda, project director, said though the trust had initially put the project cost at Rs.100 crore, it may exceed the figure.

"Overall, about Rs.200 crore will be spent in two to three years and by 2018 we will propose the tombs along with Golconda Fort as the UNESCO world heritage site," said Acharya.

The official pointed out that there are 72 monuments on 104 acres - 20 major including seven tombs and 52 minor monuments. Nanda said the trust would complete the entire project in 10 years.

During the ongoing works, the trust discovered a 16th century enclosure wall of first Qutub Shahi ruler Sultan Quli's tomb. The wall was found nine feet under the ground.