City Landmarks – KPT Observatory

Biting the Dust. KPT Observatory is falling apart slowly. We live under financially poor and aesthetically void setup. A building ceases to attract funds once it stops serving economic interest. It is the case with KPT Observatory in Manora. Not much is known publicly about the small but aesthetically pleasing structure which is in shambles right now. KPT Observatory as it is known was built in the last century when Harbor works started. It was built to issue Telegraph Code in wake of stormy and suspicious weather. There was a telescope at the top which was used for Star Transit Observatory. A Barograph was used to measure the pressure of environment. There were other instruments which were used for monitoring humidity. Apparently all the sophisticated instruments have been moved to a new observatory built inside Karachi Port Walls. The Manora observatory has been declared a Heritage building by Sindh Culture Department. No one can tear it down now. Only our negligence can.

The roof has fallen. There was a big lock on the front door. From the cracks in the door, you could see the interior in shambles. A deep sense of grief strikes you. You want to get in and climb the staircase on the other end. You cannot.