Sceptical about the progress of the Metro Rail development in the MGBS-Falaknuma corridor, the Old City Metro Rail Joint Action Committee (JAC) has decided to take action. The JAC, which represents various political parties and social groups, is concerned that despite announcements from the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project Ltd (HMRL) about preparatory work being started, there has been no actual progress on the ground.
The JAC leadership points out that similar markings were made in 2018, just a month before elections, but no further action was taken. They highlight that even though markings were made recently, there has been no progress since then. The JAC’s convener, E T Narsimha, mentions that it has been over a month since the latest announcement and more than a year since Rs 500 crore was deposited for the project.
According to HMRL, around 1,000 properties will receive eviction notices as part of land acquisition for the Metro alignment stretch between MGBS and Falaknuma. However, the JAC leaders argue that there has been no progress on the ground despite this announcement. As a result, the JAC held a meeting on Sunday to plan their future actions.
During the meeting, Osman Al-Hajri, the Congress candidate for Karwan in the 2018 Assembly polls, questioned the whereabouts of the Rs 500 crore allocated for the project. He emphasized that the Metro would generate significant revenue for HMRL and urged people to vote for development and pressure those in power to move the project forward.
Attendees of the meeting also highlighted the economic burden faced by those residing away from the Metro line and expressed hope that the MGBS Metro corridor would reduce their travel expenses once it becomes operational.
