The government issued an order to Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) to set up a commercial complex at Puttibowli to re-establish the displaced traders of Sultan Bazaar which falls under metro rail’s second corridor.
The government issued the order in response to the proposal submitted by HMRL seeking permission for redevelopment of GHMC complexes at Puttibowli and Chikkadpally as part of the ‘relief and rehabilitation’ package for traders affected in the corridor.
The HMRL has asked the government to use its’ relief and rehabilitation funds for this purpose. The HMRL shall release a tender for developing the commercial complexes.
The complex at Puttibowli is planned to have 220 shops spread over five floors. The HMRL has submitted the drawings for the project and the land for the same is already handed over to HMRL.
HMDA seeks HMRL views for possible underground metro routes in Hyderabad
To save Hyderabad’s heritage from being run over by the metro rail project, the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) has for the first time made a statement on the issue and suggested that the metro line be taken underground, at least partially. It has also stated that the metro rail body should take clearance from it before taking up work near any heritage site.
The committee’s proposal came to light in a recent letter sent by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to Forum for a Better Hyderabad, in response to queries raised by the latter on the controversial project. In its letter, HMDA stated that the metro rail issue was placed before the HCC at a recent meeting, wherein the body proposed that the project be taken underground on the metro routes that house heritage buildings and precincts. The committee also suggested that the project director (metro rail) seek clearance from HCC before starting work.
According to HMDA, these proposals have now been forwarded to metro officials for further deliberation.
Activists say that close to 17 ancient monuments of the city would have to be pulled down if the metro project is executed in its present form. This list includes parts of prominent buildings such as the Jubilee Hall, Vilayath Manzil, Hyderabad central building division’s office (Moazam Jahi market), Nampally Sarai, Women’s College, Koti, etc.
“Laying underground tracks is the only solution we have in sight to save this heritage cover,” said HCC member Sanjay Torvi. “In the past, when the metro authorities made a presentation before us, we had suggested that the matter be dealt with sensitively. But this time we have made a specific appeal and we hope it is honoured.” The committee also dismissed arguments about the option (of going underground) being unviable owing to Hyderabad’s rocky terrain.
In fact city architect Srinivas Murthy, while lauding the HCC’s decision, said that it was no Herculean task to build an underground rail network, thanks to latest technologies. “It would slightly inflate the budget of the project but then that is a small price to pay to protect the city’s heritage,” Murthy said. Referring to the metro rail in New Delhi, the architect pointed out how the entire route passing through Old Delhi is built underground so as to preserve the character of the area.
Even in Bangalore, city activists say, an 8.2 km-long metro line is being laid underground to protect the ancient Vidhan Sabha building.
“We have forwarded the HCC’s proposal to Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) officials. Now it is up to them to conduct the required surveys and see how best they can execute it,” said Sayed Ziauddin, chief planner, HMDA. He said that the HMDA was still awaiting a response from HMR on the issue.