CM agrees to pay for changes in alignment
The decision was taken during the crucial high-level meeting held between Mr Rao and L&T chief A.Naik at the Secretariat. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: In a significant climbdown, L&T has agreed to the realignment of the Hyderabad Metro Rail along three stretches.
This comes after Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao categorically stated that there is no question of compromising on realignment near the Legislative Assembly, Sultan Bazaar and in the old city to save heritage structures and religious places.
Reciprocating, Mr Rao agreed to bear the additional expenditure that L&T would incur on account of realignment. The realigned routes will be finalised at a meeting to be held again on November 20.
Though the additional financial burden is yet to be worked out, official sources estimated it to be between Rs 300 crore and Rs 400 crore.
The decision was taken during the crucial high-level meeting held between Mr Rao and L&T chief A.Naik at the Secretariat on Saturday to resolve the contentious issues with regard to Metro project.
Mr Rao told Mr Naik that Hyderabad has historical and cultural significance and the development of the city has to be made without damaging them and for that he had sought realignment in some locations.
He informed them that Telanganites have ‘emotional attachment’ with heritage markets like Sultan Bazaar and T-martyrs memorial near the Legislative Assembly and will not accept any alteration or damage to them on account of any project.
He asked L&T to change the route to the rear of the Legislative Assembly instead of the front to avoid T-martyrs memorial and the Legislative Assembly. He also asked changing the route towards the rear of Koti Women’s College to avoid Sultan Bazaar. He also sought realignment in the old city to save 40 religious structures for which a separate meeting would be arranged with MIM.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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