Submit drawing about heritage structures to be affected by Hyderabad Metro Phase-II: Telangana HC
The order came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by the Act Public Welfare Foundation (APWF)
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has directed the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the Hyderabad Heritage Conservation Committee (HHCC), and the Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro to submit a detailed graph or drawing showing heritage structures likely to be affected by the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II, Corridor-VI alignment.
A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin observed that the visual information would help the Court assess which heritage structures lie along or close to the proposed alignment. The matter has been adjourned to December 18, 2025, for the next hearing.
PIL raises concerns over heritage impact
The order came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by the Act Public Welfare Foundation (APWF), represented by its president, Mohammed Rahim Khan of Erramanzil, Hyderabad.
The petitioner sought directions to halt all construction and related works of Metro Rail Phase-II, Corridor-VI, within the Charminar Heritage Precinct No.10, Falaknuma Precinct No.12, and other notified heritage zones until a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is undertaken by an independent expert body.
He urged that all works must receive statutory clearances as mandated under the Telangana Heritage Act, 2017, and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
Heritage structures at risk
The petitioner expressed apprehension that the ongoing metro works could threaten several heritage landmarks, including Charminar, Purani Haveli, Azakhana-e-Zehra, Jama Masjid, Darulshifa, and Moghalpura Tombs.
According to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), no permission had been granted to the HMDA or the Metro authorities to carry out excavation or related work within the protected heritage zones.
Court recalls earlier assurances
It may be noted that on April 17, 2025, the HMDA Commissioner, the Hyderabad Heritage Conservation Committee, and the Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd. had submitted an undertaking before the Chief Justice’s Bench, assuring that no notified archaeological or heritage structure would be touched, damaged, or demolished during the execution of the Metro Phase-II works.
Taking note of that assurance, the Court has now sought visual documentation from the concerned authorities to verify compliance and to independently assess the heritage impact of the proposed metro alignment.
Next hearing on December 18
The Division Bench posted the matter for further hearing on December 18, 2025, after directing the authorities to place before it comprehensive visual and alignment details to facilitate a clear understanding of the possible effects on Hyderabad’s heritage precincts.
