KCR nod to HMR’s realigned routes

• HMR-L&T comes up with realign proposal after TRS objections
• The alternative was decided to avoid damage to heritage sites
• KCR had suggested underground proposal which was technically not viable
• Instead of Sultan Bazar, now Metro to pass through Koti Women's college and Kacheguda

Hyderabad: It will be a smooth ride for Hyderabad Metro Rail project, henceforth, as the realignment proposal of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was given a go ahead by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

With TRS government raising objections regarding routes passing through Assembly and Sultan Bazaar areas the construction company came up with new realignment proposal.

It may be mentioned here that the Chief Minister had summoned HMR authorities soon after taking over helm of affairs in Telangana State on June 2. He had made no bones about his strong objection to routes passing through Assembly, Mozamjahi market and Sultan Bazaar that would pose risk to centuries-old heritage monuments.

While corridor 1 from LB Nagar to Miyapur was posing risk to heritage structures like Assembly and Mozamjahi market, Corridor 2 from Falaknuma to Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) would have wiped away the centuries-old Sultan Bazaar market area.

Rao had suggested underground passage at the said locations as an alternative. But after the engineering experts on underground passage gave non feasible report due to the predominantly loose soil nature underneath Hyderabad, the concessionaire came up with realignment idea.

According to the change of alignment, the route near Assembly will now pass from behind the heritage structure (beside the old railway line) instead of earlier proposed front. Meanwhile, L & T has completely abandoned Sultan Bazaar area on Corridor-2. The alternative route would now pass through Koti Women's college and Kacheguda.