Hyderabad Metro: Progress in Old City Metro Expansion
Hyderabad, 20 March – (www.deccanlive.com): The Old City Metro expansion project has taken another step forward. So far, over 500 cheques have been distributed to compensate property owners affected by road expansion. More than ₹200 crore has already been paid as compensation. Officials stated that they have paid between ₹81,000 to ₹1 lakh per square yard for the land, along with additional compensation for resettlement.
Although demolition work is progressing slowly due to the holy month of Ramazan, the authorities have already issued notices to property owners and are continuing the compensation process. The Hyderabad Airport Metro Rail Limited (HAML) aims to complete all the work within 8 months and start the metro construction soon after.
Big Corridor Project
The government has planned to complete the first five metro lines under the second phase within four years. The Old City metro expansion is part of this second phase. Once the central government gives approval, the authorities will begin major construction work, focusing on land acquisition and road expansion.
The metro line will stretch from MG Bus Station (MGBS) to Chandrayangutta for about 7.5 kilometers. This will create a major Green Corridor from JBS (Jubilee Bus Station) to Chandrayangutta. Officials have identified around 1,100 properties along this route, out of which 980 buildings will need to be demolished. The total cost for land acquisition is estimated to be around ₹1,000 crore.
Demolition Work in Different Phases
The Hyderabad Airport Metro Rail Limited (HAML) has started taking steps to pay compensation to property owners whose land will be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act. To avoid disturbing religious and spiritual structures, only residential buildings and shops will be removed during the metro construction.
Out of the 980 identified structures, 400 properties have already received initial notices, and 325 owners have given their consent. Compensation awards have been declared for 216 properties so far. Authorities have begun the demolition of 80 properties, with 39 already demolished and work on the remaining 41 properties in different phases. Additionally, compensation for resettlement has already been paid to about 215 people.
7.5 Kilometers Project – ₹2,714 Crore Cost
The second phase of the metro project includes the construction of the first five corridors with an estimated total cost of ₹24,269 crore. The 7.5 km metro line from MG Bus Station (MGBS) to Chandrayangutta alone is expected to cost around ₹2,714 crore (excluding compensation for land acquisition).
Officials believe the metro project will make the Old City more attractive and create better employment opportunities for the youth. However, some local residents are worried about losing their livelihoods due to the demolition of shops, restaurants, tea stalls, clothing stores, grocery stores, and fancy shops in the commercial areas.
