Hyderabad: The Metro Rail project, caught in several twists and turns as it inches towards its goal, is yet again trapped in the route issue in the old city.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeem is opposed to the Metro Rail on the eastern side of the old city like Malakpet, Chaderghat, Falaknuma and others on the route since it is served by MMTS and suburban services.
Instead, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has suggested an alternate route on the eastern side beyond Nampally railway station covering areas like Goshamahal, Begum Bazaar, Muslim Jung Bridge, Puranapul and other adjoining areas.
MIM feels its route should cover highly populated areas like Osmania and Maternity Hospital, High Court, Salarjung Museum, Chudi Bazaar, Jumerat Bazaar, Begum Bazaar, Petla Burj, Hussaini Alam, Puranapul, Bahadurpura, Kamatipura, Tadbun, Jahanuma and others.
This proposal will affect existing Metro Rail- Miyapur to LB Nagar and Jubilee Bus station to Falaknuma corridors.
The MIM informed the government that the existing Metro route would affect over 1,000 structures including 40 mosques, 10 temples, 11 heritage structures, seven Asoorkhanas.
“The metro rail is not at all needed on the eastern side of the old city because it is already served by MMTS and suburban train services,” Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi told the government.
“MIM favours a metro line on the western side beyond Nampally since the area is not served by a rail link,” Syed Amin Jafri, MIM MLC told Deccan Chronicle.
The Rs 14,132 crore Metro project has three corridors, but only two corridors Miyapur-LB Nagar with 27 stations and Jubilee Bus station to Falaknuma of 16 stations touch the old city.
