Hyderabad: Once a source of drinking water for the Nizam’s soldiers, Gulzar Houz, the iconic fountain near Charminar in the Old City, has again slipped into disrepair and is being used as a dumping spot, residents say.
Despite two remodelling efforts in the past six years, in 2020 and 2023, the fountain’s restored appearance lasts only a few months before deterioration sets in. Visitors and neighbours report sludge and stagnant water collecting in the basin, alongside plastic bottles, disposable plates, leftover food and other litter. A pair of discarded trousers was also seen hanging from the fountain’s green metal railing.
Built by Mir Momin Astarabadi, the first prime minister under Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the structure has changed shape over the centuries — from a 12 sided form to an octagon, and today appearing nearly circular. Locals say the repeated restoration work has failed to address underlying problems of maintenance and public behaviour.
Civic activists and heritage enthusiasts call for a sustained upkeep plan and stronger public awareness measures so the monument can be preserved and respected beyond periodic renovations.