Hyderabad: It looks like the decks will be cleared for construction of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project in the Old City with the state government deciding to widen the roads along the metro route before starting work on the project so that traffic will not be affected. This was one of two proposals put forth by Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) party.
The MIM had proposed a realignment of the metro route in order to avoid disruption to religious structures such as mosques, dargahs and temples. But the alternative alignment proposed by the MIM would require the route to be extended by about three kilometres which would add to the cost. This was not deemed viable.
MIM, however, said that if the roads are widened before the work starts the party will have no objection to the original alignment.
MIM MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala said in the Assembly, “The Old City roads are very narrow, just 40 to 50 feet. If the government widens them before taking up metro rail work along the original alignment we have no objection.”
Municipal administration and urban development minister K. T. Rama Rao, responded saying that the government will decide if the roads be widened to 80 feet or 100 feet.
Officials said that work on widening the road will start soon. They say the alternative route proposed by MIM is commercially not viable and also will not help the people as it will not be passing through the main areas. They said they will try to minimise the land acquisition to avoid disruption to religious structures as far as possible.
