A call is growing in Telangana to protect a major piece of stone masonry engineering: a Nizam-era stone bridge spanning the Musi River at Tekumatla in Suryapet district.
The Deccan Heritage Academy Trust (DHAT) submitted a representation to Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, asking for immediate conservation, protection, and adaptive reuse of the bridge. DHAT Chairman Vedakumar Manikonda described the structure as a unique heritage asset on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada NH-65 corridor.
The bridge measures about 370 metres and includes 73 stone arches, an example of stone masonry bridge engineering from the Nizam period. DHAT also pointed to the bridge’s place in history, citing records that a portion was damaged during Operation Polo in 1948 to slow the advance of the Indian Army, and later restored.
With a newer NH-65 bridge now carrying traffic, the historic bridge is no longer in use and is deteriorating. The trust cited neglect, unchecked vegetation growth, and natural weathering as key factors driving the decline, warning that delays risk irreversible damage and loss.
DHAT’s proposal centers on adaptive reuse through a Public-Private Partnership model, with the bridge repositioned as a heritage riverfront tourism destination. Ideas listed include a pedestrian promenade, a landscaped riverfront, cafés, handicraft outlets, and cultural performance spaces, all tied to the preserved historic structure.
For contractors who work in restoration and preservation, the request is a reminder that legacy stone structures still shape today’s transportation and public spaces. When these landmarks move from active infrastructure to heritage assets, the work shifts to conservation and maintenance focused on protecting original fabric while supporting new public use.
Read the full, original article from Telangana Today here.