Demolitions taking place in the Old City for the proposed Metro Rail line.
| Photo Credit: arrangement
Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) has informed that 311 properties have been acquired and ₹283 crore disbursed so far even as there has been a good progress in the demolition of properties and debris clearance in the Old City stretch in the 7.5-kilometre stretch from MG Bus Station (MGBS) to Chandrayanagutta as part of the proposed Phase-II Metro Rail line expansion project.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II covering 76.4 km spread across five corridors, including extending the existing first phase lines of 69.2 km in the capital region, at an estimated cost of ₹24,269 crore is currently undergoing appraisal at various ministries at the Centre for the proposed joint venture project.
HAML Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy said there has been total cooperation from the property owners for the work with the government paying an attractive compensation package to them, mostly as consent awards. The officials involved in the demolitions of non-heritage structures have been working day-and-night carefully by undertaking major tasks during the night avoiding any disruption of traffic, he explained.
There are several challenges involved in carrying out the work in the Old City because of the close proximity of buildings almost touching each other and the presence of intertwined electrical, telecom and other cables, pointed out Mr. Reddy.
The MD was especially appreciative of the work put in by HAML women officials for being patient with the affected property owners explaining about the consent awards and supervising the road expansion job after dark. He reiterated that appropriate engineering solutions are being adopted to protect the heritage structures and that as assured to the High Court, no heritage structure will be touched or demolished.
HAML has submitted to the HC that no heritage structure is being touched or being demolished and that the Metro Rail alignment is far away from Charminar and Falaknuma precincts. But, there has been a social media misinformation campaign which is unfortunate. The matter is sub-judice and this needs to be kept in mind, he added.
Published – June 13, 2025 09:37 pm IST
