OGH premises to get makeover, edifice to be untouched

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has decided to take up beautification works worth Rs 62.89 lakh at the Osmania General Hospital to give the iconic facility a facelift. However, the HMDA has now decided to paint 5,000 square feet inside the structure, replace the main entrance with the new one, lay about 200 metre vacuum dewatered cement concrete road, construct pavements apart from planting saplings. The municipal authority will use needle vibrators, hydraulic excavator/JCBs, vibratory roller, air compressor, plate vibrator and tipper to take up the civil works, which could pose danger to the structure as a few incidents of roof collapse were reported earlier. A senior HMDA official requesting anonymity said the HMDA would not touch the structure and would only take up the civil works on its premises. Asked about using needle vibrators, hydraulic excavator/JCBs, vibratory roller, air compressor, plate vibrator and tippers adjacent to the structure which might harm the heritage structure, the official ignored the question and said equipment would be used outside the structure and refused to comment further.