Metro Expansion Raises Concerns in Hyderabad's Old City
The Hyderabad Metro authorities are preparing to start demolitions in the first week of January 2025 as part of the MGBS-to-Chandrayangutta metro route in the Old City. This stretch, known as Corridor VI, is part of the Metro’s Phase II expansion. Local business owners are deeply concerned about losing their livelihoods due to the pending evictions.
The project spans a 7.5 km stretch and is estimated to cost ₹2,741 crores out of the total ₹24,269 crores budgeted for Phase II. Other planned corridors include Nagole to Shamshabad (Airport Corridor), Raidurg to Kokapet Neopolis, Miyapur to Patancheru, and LB Nagar to Hayathnagar. Along the Old City corridor, 1,100 structures have been identified for demolition, with many already marked, causing anxiety among residents and business owners. Around 300 property owners have yet to agree to the compensation offered, while those who have accepted it believe the amount is insufficient.
One businessman, speaking anonymously, expressed his frustration. “We are concerned about relocating our businesses, but the compensation being offered is not enough to restart in nearby commercial areas, where land costs are at least ₹1.5 lakh per square yard. We are not against development, but fair compensation is necessary,” he said.
A newly formed group, the Deccan Heritage & Religious Protection Society, is actively opposing the project. Activist Sarah Mathews, a supporter of the society, has raised concerns about the land acquisition process. She has demanded transparency from the Metro authorities, urging them to release the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and other official documents in local languages. “This project is expected to take seven years. What happens to the livelihoods of those affected during this time? This is a violation of their constitutional right to livelihood,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HAML) Managing Director NVS Reddy recently announced that construction will begin in January 2025, with demolitions set for late December 2024. He assured that efforts are being made to minimize property acquisitions, focusing primarily on the Old City.
Reddy stated that compensation has been set at ₹65,000 per square yard for property owners. Importantly, none of the 106 religious and historical structures along the route will be impacted, thanks to engineering solutions designed to preserve the area’s heritage. The corridor will include six metro stations and is part of the broader Phase II plan, which involves constructing 54 stations.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has emphasized the need to complete all Phase II metro work within four years. The project is seen as a key step in improving Hyderabad’s transportation infrastructure while balancing development with heritage preservation.
