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Journalism of Courage
The Telangana High Court Thursday sought a “detailed sketch” from the Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) regarding its proposed metro rail alignment in the old city of Hyderabad, by duly noting the status of structures of heritage and religious significance.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin was hearing a Public Interest Litigation that alleged a severe impact of the alignment of Corridor VI of the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II on several structures of religious and historical importance in the area.
The bench directed the respondents (Metro authorities) to file a comprehensive alignment sketch before the next hearing on December 16. The court specified that this drawing must contain clear details of the metro’s path, including all nearby structures, their precise proximity to the alignment, and all relevant permissible parameters such as setback distances or clearances.
Immaneni Rama Rao, the counsel for the petitioner, Act Public Welfare Foundation, argued that the Metro project lacks accountability and requested that all Hyderabad Airport Metro (HAML) construction activities be halted. Rao claimed the various government departments involved are all “passing the buck,” avoiding responsibility for the process.
Rao emphasised that the Metro alignment impacts numerous heritage sites, including the High Court building itself. He highlighted that the Archaeology and Museums Department confirmed, via an RTI, that no permission had been granted for works or excavations near these historic structures.
For HAML, counsel Mohd Imran Khan argued that over 80 per cent of the land acquisition towards the project has been completed. He pointed out that the metro rail would pass above these structures without impacting any of them.
Khan noted that the only one municipal building was on the right-of-way of the alignment, and the government would submit to the court details of the building along with photographs. He alleged that the litigation is more of a publicity interest than a public interest and has caused more misinformation over the matter.
