HMDA floats Rs 7.78 crore underground parking tender at historic Paigah Palace

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has floated a ₹7.78 crore tender to construct a multi-level underground parking facility on the grounds of the historic Paigah Palace complex in the Pattigadda area of Hyderabad. The project, which has drawn concern from heritage conservationists and family descendants, is intended to accommodate the relocation of the HMDA's offices to the 19th-century palace.

The proposed underground parking facility is slated to be built within the five-acre palace grounds, which house the Devdi Iqbal ud Dowla, also known as the Mardana Mahal, built in the 1890s. The site is classified as a Schedule IIB listed heritage site under HMDA's own regulations, which mandate intelligent conservation for structures contributing to the city's identity.

Obaid ur Rahman, a Paigah descendant who lives opposite the palace, has raised strong objections to the project. He questioned where the parking would be built without ruining the restored palace, its gardens, or the front fountain. Rahman compared the local approach unfavorably to European heritage sites, where visitors park further away and walk to the venues.

A key point of concern is the potential use of explosives during construction. Despite the proximity to the 19th-century limestone and rock structure, the HMDA tender document states that the contractor will engage a licensed blaster for blasting operations in accordance with the Indian Explosive Act.

To address heritage concerns, the tender requires that 25 percent of the required similar work value—equivalent to ₹1.95 crore—must come from the bidder's experience in renovating or constructing heritage structures.

The Paigah Palace previously served as the office for the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and later the US Consulate. After the consulate relocated to Nanakramguda in 2023, the property reverted to the state government. The HMDA now plans to move its offices from the eight-story Swarna Jayanti Complex in Ameerpet to the Pattigadda palace, creating a need to accommodate dozens of officers, staff, and vehicles.

The project tender specifies a six-month deadline for the completion of the underground parking facility.