Balancing progress and history

Bolarum is known among Hyderabadis for being a growing suburb with an old-world charm. Even today the various buildings and monuments reflect its historical past

Bolarum is one of the oldest suburbs in Secunderabad which is known to every Hyderabadi, primarily because of the Rashtrapati Nilayam. This place is magnificent and is no less that the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This serves as the house/office of the president during his/her yearly sojourn to the south of India. During the President’s southern sojourn, it converts into his office.

However, what is not known to many is that the Rashtrapati Nilayam is open to public after the visit of the president for a short period of time. Bolarum is home not just to the president but is also the birth place for several other developments in Hyderabad like education and industrialisation.

Through ‘Destination Secunderabad’ we take a quick glance at the forgotten areas of Bolarum, Lothkunta and Alwal. Even before popular places like Paradise and Secunderabad could develop, these places were well established and developed. In fact, history states that education and several religious establishments were first started here and later diffused to other parts of the City.

Over the years nothing has changed in these areas. Perhaps if Elizabeth II, who would visited Holy Trinity Church, Bolarum to attended a service in this church on her wedding anniversary during her visit to India in the 1980s, comes now she wouldn’t be surprised as nothing much has changed since then. There have been developments, but without destroying existing structures.

“It’s a very calm and a peaceful place to stay. Not just the serine ambience but also the civic amenities are in place and there is not complaint whatsoever,” says Usha Rani, board member Green Fields Colony, Alwal.

Few colonies come under the army authority, which is both a boon and a bane. The roads and infrastructure are in place but there are clear distinctions and special privileges to army personnel.

For example, the Alwal Rythu Bazaar which is one of the oldest and popular bazaars, has less than half-a-kilometer parking place for civilians and more than 2 km for army families.

“When we go grocery shopping, parking is a big problem. Despite the open empty land, which is reserved only for army families being empty, we are not allowed to park there. We park across the road or some where far off,” says Anjana, a housewife, Bolarum.

A popular proverb says that not all good things come for free. This holds true for these areas. With serene, green and dense landscapes also come snakes, insects and animals.

“Snakes have become a common phenomena. These days our new guest is a family of monkeys. These monkeys come home and eat most of our cooked food. They eat fruits and junk,” laughs Aishwarya Subramanian, a Deloitte employee.

The other problem in this area is drug peddling. Lothkunta is one area where many people are involved in this. Students come from Banjara Hills and Hitech City to buy drugs.

Tags: Alwal, Bolarum, Destination Secunderabad, featured, full-image, historical past, Lothkunta

Category: City, City News