The site of Hyderabad's iconic Charminar is abuzz with activity, as several officials and labourers are working hard to complete the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) by the end of November.
According to reports, the project aims to pedestrianise a radius of 220 metres around Charminar, by diverting vehicular traffic through the Inner Ring Road (IRR) and the Outer Ring Road (ORR).
Officials have also expedited the work ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which will be attended by United States President Donald Trump's daughter and White House advisor Ivanka Trump.
GES, to be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), will bring together 1,200 entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters for two-and-half days of training and mentoring sessions, networking and investment matchmaking. The two-day summit will start on November 28.
The summit will highlight the theme 'Women First, Prosperity for All', and will focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth globally. Ivanka will lead the US delegation to the summit.
Ivanka, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will attend the main session of GES on November 28 and will also attend a few sessions the next day.
Some reports suggested that Ivanka may tour certain portions of the city, and even pay a visit to Charminar, which is seemingly why the work has been expedited.
This is not the only ‘change’ being made ahead of the GES, as the State Prisons department has set up a control room to make the city ‘beggar free’, and has offered a reward of Rs 500 to citizens, with information on those who are homeless and living on the streets.
Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is also busy carrying out repair and conservation works on the monument and its pillars itself.
Charminar, which was built during Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah's rule in 1591, is a protected structure, as any construction within 200 meters around the monument can only be done after permission is obtained from the ASI and the National Monument Authority.
Despite being restored, the structure still faces a threat from fumes, vibrations, dust and smoke.