Metro hits road block at Chaderghat - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: The Metro Rail works have hit a road block at Chaderghat in the Old City. According to official sources, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's (AIMIM) strong political lobby has forced the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to stall the land acquisition process on a two- km between the Mahatma Gandhi Central Bus Station and the Malakpet crossroads.

This stretch comes under Malakpet legislator Ahmed Bin Abdullal Balala's constituency. Potential oustees, i.e those named in the list of persons whose land would be acquired, had been opposing the proposal, saying they would surrender their property only if the government offers compensation package that takes into account the prevailing market value.

According to GHMC authorities, AIMIM leaders mounted pressure on the corporation not to acquire the land forcibly from the residents of the area. Wilting under pressure from the MIM, the land acquisition process has been suspended for the last five months.

The owners of only five of the 67 properties (80 % of which are commercial complexes) identified till date have given their consent to the government for takeover of their lands. The others have given in writing to the GHMC that they would not hand over their properties, GHMC (South Zone) assistant city planner MA Sattar said.

Sattar said that the compensation package varied from one building to another, depending on the material used in the construction. If the building was constructed with concrete cement, its value would be high; whereas, if the roof was covered with tin sheets, its rate would be low.

As per the guidelines prescribed by the Roads & Buildings Department, compensation has been finalised for every structure. When it comes to land, the value of land is same on the whole stretch.

The Malakpet legislator Balala said that all listed oustees had approached him with a plea to stop acquisition of their properties. Their main demand was that if any person could lose even 70 % of his property, he should be paid compensation for the entire property at the rate of the prevailing market value.

About 300 people who have small businesses in these shops would be among the sufferers. The government should ensure that they don't lose their livelihood, he added.

He said that the GHMC had been asked to conduct a meeting to sort out the issues amicably. "Let them hold a meeting and then we would decide whether to accept the compensation package or not. It is expected that the issue would be discussed and settled by the end of August.'

Under Phase I of the project, Metro Rail would start at Miyapur and end at LB Nagar passing via Panjagutta, Nampally, Osmania General Hospital, Central Bus station, Malakpet and Dilsukhnagar.

The Bus Station and Malakpet junctions are important stations along the 28-km metro rail track. The Malakpet station will be upgraded as MMTS and MRTS interchange and the MGBS bus station will be developed as MRTS interchange, enabling commuters to get instant transportation facilities for traveling to other parts of the city.