Hyderabad's dense traffic is not only stressing out road users, Charminar, the historical wonder and pride of the city, is also under threat.A report sent by the National Geographical Research Institute, Hyderabad, (NGRI) has warned the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) that vibrations caused by movement of traffic around Charminar may start affecting the foundations of the pillars of the monument. The report does not mention any immediate damage to the monument but has observed that vibrations caused by the continuous movement of traffic will soon start affecting the Charminar, which is 417 years old.The NGRI has suggested that all traffic should be halted or should be diverted at least 40 feet from the structure to protect it.Meanwhile, the ASI is also concerned about the blackening of the structure due to pollution and has taken up chemical cleaning which it hopes will also reveal if the monument has developed any cracks.Superintendent of ASI Jitendra Das confirmed the report and said that the ASI has recommended to the state Government that it should ban movement of vehicles around Charminar. “The NGRI had in fact warned of the effects of traffic movement on the Charminar at least three years ago. Right now, heavy vehicles are not allowed near the monument but the NGRI is of the opinion that vibrations caused by the movement of cars and small vehicles also pose a danger to the historic monument,” said Das.The ASI has also recommended to the government to create a pedestrian walk around the movement or convert the existing road into a walkway. The ASI has recently completed renovating parts of the monument. ASI officials said the original plaster — a lime mortar paste — was peeling off and they have replastered it with a near original mixture.
