Telangana HC orders status quo on Rajiv Rahadari expansion
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2024-12-21 17:38 GMT
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court halted the Rajiv Rahadari road expansion project on Saturday, ordering a status quo in response to petitions filed by affected property owners. The interim relief is seen as a significant victory for the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which has been opposing the widening of the road to 200 feet, advocating instead for a 100-foot limit. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for December 30.
JAC chairman Telukunta Satish Gupta said while they support development, the expansion should not come at the cost of residents’ livelihoods. Gupta urged the government to provide fair compensation in the form of equivalent-value land for those whose properties are being acquired. He added that the fight for justice would continue until the concerns of all affected individuals are addressed.
On Friday, Gupta stopped the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) staff from proceeding with road works, by invoking the High Court’s order. The petitioners had argued that the land acquisition process violated provisions of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act and constitutional rights. They highlighted the lack of a social impact assessment (SIA) and inadequate compensation for displaced property owners.
Residents in the affected areas, including Secunderabad and Bowenpally, expressed relief at the court’s intervention. Some described the status quo order as a temporary respite, urging the government to ensure a fair resolution. Gupta emphasised that only those who join the petitions will benefit from legal protection and encouraged more affected individuals to come forward.
On Friday, Gupta stopped the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) staff from proceeding with road works, by invoking the High Court’s order. The petitioners had argued that the land acquisition process violated provisions of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act and constitutional rights. They highlighted the lack of a social impact assessment (SIA) and inadequate compensation for displaced property owners.
Residents in the affected areas, including Secunderabad and Bowenpally, expressed relief at the court’s intervention. Some described the status quo order as a temporary respite, urging the government to ensure a fair resolution. Gupta emphasised that only those who join the petitions will benefit from legal protection and encouraged more affected individuals to come forward.