KTR promises to hold meeting with city legislators

Hyderabad: Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao on Sunday said a meeting would held with all city legislators to discuss the demand for a change in the alignment of Metro Rail in the Old city. The Minister, however, rejected the AIMIM demand that a probe be ordered into the alleged “big scam” in giving away valuable government properties to the concessionaire for over 30 years and denial of revenue sharing to GHMC and State government by the construction company.

In reply to a question posed by AIMIM Floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and Congress members in the Assembly, he clarified that the Metro Rail alignment at Assembly and Sultan Bazar remained unchanged after the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) found no alternative to change the alignment on the two stretches.

As a relief, the hawkers paradise would be established at Sultan Bazar and provide good package for the displaced. Measures had also been taken to ensure no damage to the Telangana Martyrs memorial during the construction of Metro project at the Assembly junction. The Minister admitted that only 5.5 km was covered by Metro Rail project in the Old City even though a demand for increase the length was under consideration.

The issue would be discussed during a special meeting with legislators and the Hyderabad MP. He clarified that land parcels were given on lease to the company for commercial purpose as per the agreement entered in to by the then Congress government. Owaisi pointed out that 60 per cent of the properties demolished for the project were in Old City, but the Metro Rail coverage was minimal here.

He took strong exception to the 35-year permission given to the company to collect revenues on its own without giving a share to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and also the State government. The AIMIM leader alleged that the Metro rail agreement gave a big scope to the private company to indulge in a big scam.