Old City residents renew hopes over Metro link

 Hyderabad: Following Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s announcement to allot funds for a Metro link from the MGBS to Falaknuma, residents and shopowners in the Old City of Hyderabad were excited over the fulfilment of their long-pending demand.

Residents said that this five-and-a-half-kilometre track will be a boon for commuters and will also mark a socioeconomic bridge with newer parts of the city, as the bridge over the Musi River previously did.

Traders were elated as the Metro would bring in more customers, saying that many people refrained from visiting the Old City areas due to heavy traffic. They also questioned the delay on the government’s part, saying people suffered in the absence of enhanced public transport.

The response to the project from the public has been so enormous that residents are ready to help the government speed up the project by quickly settling the acquisition of around 1,000 properties and religious structures that fall on the proposed alignment.

Stations are proposed at Salar Jung Museum, Charminar, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj and Falaknuma, which comprise the most important areas in Old City.

Osman Ali, a resident of Chandrayangutta, who owns a paan shop in Hyderguda, said: “Me and my brother take shifts. To reach here each day, we struggle with traffic. We envy those who can take a Metro and reach Hitec City, Miyapur or Nagole in just a few minutes. But, once this Metro starts, I can travel easily from Falaknuma to Narayanguda.”

Dr Hyder Yamani, a resident of Barkas, said: “The Old City traffic is horrific throughout the day as roads are bumpy and narrow. The government had delayed this project and just when we were resigned that the proposal was binned, the Chief Minister’s fund allotment brought renewed hope to citizens of Old City. This also brings equal opportunity for development of lands in Old City.”

Yamani said, “My posting is at Osmania University campus and I spend more than two hours of commute. Once the Metro starts, I can save at least an hour.”

Singam Sudharshan, a resident of Sultan Shai near Charminar, said: “My shop is near Charminar. We deal with pure pearls, but most buyers end up paying more for the products at close-by shops. Because of the traffic, they do not want to visit Old City. But once the Metro starts, people can just get down at Salar Jung and walk till Charminar, which is just 500 metres away.”

He said, “We hope the government does not stop this work after the elections, as this project was delayed for so long.”