BRS will delay Old City metro project, alleges Congress; claims project an ‘election gimmick'

Hyderabad: Is the announcement regarding issuing land acquisition notices to 1,000 properties in Old City a tactic to delay the project?

Senior Congress leader and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) political affairs convener Mohammed Ali Shabbir Questions raised questions about the sincerity of the BRS government in its commitment to provide metro rail to Old City.

Tactic for upcoming Assembly elections?

“Is the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi government intending to credit the non-existent project to its ally All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen in order to mislead the people during the next elections?” asked Shabbir Ali.

“How will the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) begin construction without a detailed project report and proper financial disclosure? The estimated cost of the project was Rs 2,000 crores. How can it be completed in Rs 500 crore? The finance department of the state has not released the funds yet. How will the HMRL start work? Is HMRL issuing statements by coming under the pressure of the government?” the Congress leader added.

Even though budget allocations of Rs 500 crore were carried out twice, the amount was not released in the last nine years, he said.

Statement by HMRL

On Sunday, HMRL said that the preparatory works for undertaking the prestigious metro rail project have started. Along the 5.5 km route from MGBS to Falaknuma, there are 103 religious and other sensitive structures which include 12 masjids, 12 temples, 12 Ashoorkhanas, 33 dargahs, 7 graveyards and 6 chillas. All but four of these structures have been saved, said metro rail officials.

Engineering solutions like adjustment of curvature, viaduct design, heights, suitable alterations on metro rail pillars and others are yet to be carried out.

Metro rail project, a history

The previous Congress government had sanctioned a 72-km metro rail stretch but the 5.5 km of Old City were not worked upon. Only 67 km were successfully completed. The metro rail project became a success and connected the city from Uppal to Hi-tech city, Miyapur to LB Nagar, and JBS Parade Ground to MG Bus Station.

The successful completion and connection to various parts of the city led to a major discontentment among the residents of the Old City who felt left out. There is growing anger that the state government is ignoring infrastructure development in that part of the city.

Why has Old City metro rail become an election issue?

Due to the number of structures that will be affected by the metro rail, there was major opposition to the project in the Old City. The issue had been discussed back-to-back at various levels of government. The delay in implementing the project and connecting it to other parts of the city has caused a feeling of social isolation for the residents of Old City.

There is considerable social and political pressure on the ruling government, and the Opposition is bent on pointing out its opportunistic attitude.

Economic viability

The 5.5-km metro alignment in the Old City will be from MGBS to Falaknuma via Darulshifa junction – Purani Haveli – Ettebar Chowk – Alijakotla – Mir Momin Daira – Haribowli – Shalibanda – Shamsheergunj and Aliabad.

There are five metro stations including Salarjung Museum, Charminar, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj and Falaknuma. Though the metro stations are about 500 m from Salarjung Museum and Charminar, these two stations are being named after them in view of their importance and pride of place in the city, HMRL, MD, NVS Reddy said.

Shabbir Ali said that the 5.5 km stretch from Imbilan to Falaknuma will not be economically viable. “Another corridor should be simultaneously developed, connecting Falaknuma with the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. This current metro rail project is nothing but a mere deception and a political scheme orchestrated by MIM and BRS parties keeping the election in mind. The BRS government will create legal complications to halt the project again. It is only an election gimmick.”