Hyderabad, May 25 -- The historic Katora Houz, an over 450-year-old royal swimming pool inside Hyderabad's Golconda Fort, is battling neglect as garbage piles up and its waters dry out.

The heritage site which once a freshwater reservoir built by the Qutub Shahi rulers in the 16th century now faces encroachment threats.

Unsuccessful revival attempt

A few years ago, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) launched a cleanup drive to restore Katora Houz.

An 18-member team removed water hyacinth and debris during a 10-day operation. Anti-larval measures were also introduced to curb mosquitoes. Even after taking these steps, the pool has reverted to a dumping ground.

History of Katora Houz in Hyderabad's Golconda Fort

The wat...