The pillars are green with moss, the air smells of dampness, portions of the ceiling have flaked off and vegetation is growing out of the walls of the building known as Golden Threshold in the Abids area. The birthplace of the University of Hyderabad and the place which poet Sarojini Naidu called home is still awaiting a restoration effort.
“We are giving the conservation and restoration work to the Central Public Works department. They will begin the work soon. Till then we are not allowing anyone inside,” said an official of the university unwilling to go on record.
Only three years earlier, there was air of optimism as the building was set to be restored and turned into a cultural hub in the heart of the city. “Monsoon and water ingress has affected the building. The delay in restoration is only making things worse,” said another university staffer.
