Hyderabad: Iskcon authorities said on Thursday that the wall that had been demolished by the GHMC was on the northwest side of the temple and there was no Hyderabad Metro land involved as land had been allocated for the Metro at the southeast side.
HMR authorities will soon acquire 612.77 square yard of Iskcon land near St. John’s Rotary in Secunderabad for the Metro Rail corridor-III (Nagole — Shilparamam stretch).
Earlier, HMRL had wanted 1339.35 sq. meter (1,601.85 sq. yard) of temple land, but after protests and several rounds of discussions, 612.77 sq. yard was allotted.
Protesting the move to acquire their property, the Iskcon management had suggested HMRL to change the alignment without disturbing the temple land.
HMRL had rejected the request stating that the alignment had been set by a professional team from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation by taking several technical aspects and safety into consideration.
However, keeping in view the religious sentiments attached to the temple, HMRL had sent revised plans to reduce the extent from 1,601.85 sq. yard to 612.77 sq. yards.
The demolished wall is located in front of the Padmahamsa residential building, which will also be acquired for a metro pillar.
On Wednesday, soon after the GHMC pulled down the wall, the devotees staged a “die in protest” at the temple towards the evening. Resembling dead bodies, they lay on the Secunderabad main road.
They also displayed posters accusing officials of the town planning wing of GHMC North zone for the demolition.
