Question raised over delay in launch of project

Hyderabad: Questioning delay in taking up of Metro Rail works despite the Chief Minister’s assurance, the Old City Metro Rail JAC (Joint Action Committee) has decided to take out a protest rally from Charminar to Falaknuma on August 18.

In the beginning of the year, the JAC which choose the agitation path and built up pressure on the Government, remain quiet since then following the assurance from Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in the State Assembly in the month of March. KCR had assured that the works of Metro Rail in Old City would be taken up as per the old alignment. While the works on the other sections connecting two major bus stations Jubilee Bus Station and Imlibun and JBS to Falaknuma continued. While the 6-km stretch from MGBS to Falaknuma was not taken up over some technical reasons known only to officials.

However, the JAC alleged that the works on this stretch were not taken up owing to the political pressure from certain local groups. While referring to the favourable reception from some local businessman, who welcomed the alignment suggesting that the development would bring more business in the area, they held that even the stakeholders do not have any problem on this.

Following JAC’s protest dharnas and rallies at that time, the government gave an assurance, but it remained on paper. On Wednesday, a delegation led by ET Narasimha (CPI), Ale Bhaskar (BJP), Rasheed Shareef (TRS), K Venkatesh, Shajid Shareef (Congress) and others again held a meeting with Hyderabad Metro Rail Managing Director NVS Reddy at HMRL office in Begumpet requesting him to start Metro Rail project works in Old City at the earliest.

They informed him in detail about the benefits of coming up with Metro Rail in Old City. They mentioned the Chief Minister’s assurance of the developmental projects in Old City particularly the Metro Rail. They lamented that the government not even conducted the survey of viability in the Old City. “The Chief Minister made promises in this regard, while keeping in mind the next Assembly elections, rather for bringing development to this part of the City,” alleged Narasimha.

While referring to the Metro Rail Works being taken up at Raidurgam, they questioned as to why the works were not even started in parts of Old City, which should have been taken up first. While some of the leaders alleged that both the ruling party and MIM were against development, hence were trying to blame each other over the matter.

With the demand to take up the Metro Rail works in the Old City, the JAC has decided to take up protest rally from Charminar to Falaknuma on August 18. “Till the objective is achieved, we will continue to fight for bringing in all round development in the Old city. Since there is no proper transportation facility in the parts of Old City, if the Metro Rail comes into being it would provide relief to lakhs of people,” he added. Meanwhile, N V S Reddy who discussed the matter with the JAC leaders said that the government was in favour of coming up with Metro Rail in Old City. He assured that the works will be taken up shortly.

BY Md Nizamuddin