Kotwal House, which once housed Hyderabad police chief’s office, restored after structural concerns

C V Anand, Police Commissioner, who helmed the project, will now have an office in the old city to oversee bandobast activities. The South Zone, which comprises the core of the old city, remains a key area for the city police. He has decided to be present at the Kotwal House on every Friday, and at the Basheerbagh commissioner’s office on every Wednesday, even as his main office remains in the Integrated Command Control Centre in Banjara Hills.

“When I took charge, there was a report of the roads and buildings department proposing to dismantle the building as it was declared dangerous. I used to go every Friday and spend time in the old city and during one meeting, a part of the roof caved in. It was then that we decided to do something to save the heritage building. We estimated the cost and Mr Anil of Greenko agreed to come forward to save the heritage structure,” Anand told indianexpress.com.

Mir Khan, conservator in chief of the Deccan Terrain Heritage, who oversaw the conservation project, said the building was unused for about 5 years and was taken up for restoration in May 2023. “There were structural issues like damage in the load-bearing walls and terrace, water leaks and wall plaster deterioration, wooden doors and windows, as well as rafters in the ceiling were deteriorated due to common moisture,” he said.

The team stripped off the entire lime plaster and undertook a revamp of the terrace, replacing wooden members, rafters, doors, and windows to bring the building back to its original glory. The building is a prime example of a typical Madras terrace type building, characterised by load-bearing walls, typical varandas with Roman columns, and an overlooking courtyard and gardens, similar to the Secunderabad Club and Nizam Club, for example. There are two cannons, one made of brass cast in Hyderabad’s Gun Foundry and the other of iron cast and imported from Norway.

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