Metro runs into unexpected block

Hyderabad: Expect the unexpected in Hyderabad. This saying goes true for the Rs 16,500 crore Hyderabad Metro Rail project. The Nagole-Shilparamam stretch in Secunderabad, considered the most feasible of the three corridors in terms of land acquisition, has run into trouble.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness located on S.P. Road near St John’s Church has threatened to launch a national movement against acquisition of their land. It has declared a ‘Kurukshetra-II’ against the project.

“We have given an alternative plan to the Metro Rail authorities. The alignment of the elevated structure can go on without cutting through Iskcon temple premises. The alignment has been prepared by railway engineers,” Iskcon Secunderabad temple administration board chairman H.G. Mahasrngadasa said.

Even defence authorities are giving a tough time. Though they have agreed to provide right of way for the project, they have not handed over the site to HMR. This is as the defence authorities have sought land at another location based on the cost of land handed over to HMR in Secunderabad.

Though the HMR had identified about 25 acres in Jawaharnagar in Shamirpet mandal, the defence authorities rejected it due to litigation and other reasons. The HMR has now identified land in Vikarabad. The metro requires 5.074 acres of defence land in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board area as an inter-change station will be constructed near the Jubilee Bus Station.

As a result, not a single pillar has been constructed in SCB limits till date. An official involved in the acquisition of land for the project said that the GHMC has been able to shift a ‘cross’ near the Church at Mettuguda. HMR MD N.V.S. Reddy said that they expected both issues to be settled amicably shortly.