No land for Hyderabad Metro to fill up the gaps

Hyderabad: Gaps in the Hyderabad Metro Rail project due to non-acquisition of properties along the two corridors is more pronounced now with these spaces standing out as question marks.

While in the numbers game the figures show as low as 136 from the earlier 446, sources in the government department claim that they are going to be the toughest.

While the concessionaire Larsen & Turbo has been pointing out at the gaps in renewed meetings with state government officials and also with Hyderabad Metro Rail. The ground reality is that nothing is moving on those fronts.

A senior officer of L & T explained, “There is gradual delay which has already set in. While we are concentrating on putting up pillars, viaducts and also getting the station area ready, the fact remains that they will be completed works but with huge gaps in the middle. In a linear project, work has to go on simultaneously across all fronts. These gaps are now proving to be liabilities.”

The most prominent being Country Club of India building at Ameerpet, Padma Hansa Apartments after ISKON temple at Secunderabad, front portions of residential homes and open areas outside homes on Road no 5 Banjara Hills, 30 housing properties across Madhuranagar and Krishna Nagar in the Yusufguda stretch and furniture shops at Nampally.

In the review meetings held every Tuesday with the state government, the gaps have been pointed out from time to time.

A senior government officer said, “Had these properties been acquired two years ago, the cost would have been half the present price. Right now every property owner is trying to milk his way through the project. With the New Land Acquisition Act the government has to abide with the revised rates and grant compensation accordingly.”

Also, the new re-alignment at the Assembly area has been technically approved by engineers but there was concern raised about the Assembly offices which may have to go.

A senior officer with the state government said, “There will be some Assembly offices on the rear which will be affected due to the Metro Rail.  A decision on that has to be taken. With the new alignment, there will be acquisition of police quarters, these Assembly offices and also part of public garden.”