Asaduddin Owaisi demands action on Charminar parking & Golconda Sky Cable project
Hyderabad: On February 24, 2025, Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Member of Parliament for Hyderabad, urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner, and Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development M. Dana Kishore to begin the construction of a parking lot at the Old Charminar Bus Stand.
Owaisi’s request, made via a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted that the development would provide much-needed parking space for tourist buses and cars. He also called for the initiation of a Sky Cable project connecting 7 Tombs to Bala Hisaar Golconda, which he believes will attract more tourists to the Golconda Fort.
I request @revanth_anumula ,@CommissionrGHMC @PrlsecyMAUD to immediately start the construction of Parking lot in the Old Charminar Bus Stand space ,this will facilitate the parking of Tourist Buses & Cars and also to start Sky Cable work from 7 Tombs to Bala Hisaar Golconda… https://t.co/2s4tbfND4S
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 24, 2025
Golconda Fort has seen a significant increase in visitors, ranking sixth among ASI monuments with the highest domestic footfall in the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24. In 2022-23, the fort recorded 15.27 lakh visitors, with the number rising to 16.08 lakh in 2023-24.
The historical site, originally built in the 11th century by Kakatiya ruler Pratāparudra, was later fortified by Sultan Quli, the Governor of Hyderabad under the Bahmani Sultanate, and served as the capital of the Golconda Sultanate. The fort is known for its historical significance and proximity to the Kollur diamond mines, making it a major diamond trade hub.
Charminar, another iconic landmark of Hyderabad, also saw a notable rise in footfall. Ranking ninth in the same period, Charminar recorded 9.29 lakh visitors in 2022-23, increasing to 12.90 lakh in 2023-24. Built in 1591, Charminar is an important cultural and religious site, with a mosque on its top floor and the surrounding markets, including the famous Laad Bazaar, drawing tourists from across the world.
The top 10 ASI monuments with the highest Indian visitor footfall in the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 were led by the Taj Mahal in Agra, which saw 60.99 lakh visitors in 2023-24. Other monuments in the top ranks included the Sun Temple in Konark, Qutub Minar in Delhi, and Red Fort in Delhi.
The surge in footfall at historic sites like Golconda Fort and Charminar highlights growing interest in India’s cultural heritage, further reflected in the increase of foreign tourist arrivals at Hyderabad’s airport. In 2023, the airport recorded 3.56 million foreign tourist arrivals, a slight increase from 3.41 million in 2019, representing 3.73% of the national share.
