HYDERABAD: At a time when Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMRL) is prepping up to roll through the main city of Hyderabad by November end, Old city residents are upset as works on the elevated rail, proposed six years ago, are yet to begin.“I have been observing for three decades now that Old City always lags behind with respect to infrastructural development. Over these years, there has been so much development in Vanasthalipuram and Kukatpally. Now, rest of the city will have the metro rail but not us. Why are we being left out?,” said Mounis Abidi, a High Court advocate.
Many here point out that commuting in Old City is a difficult task as many densely populated areas like Moghulpura, Shalibanda and Talabkatta have very narrow roads and hence the auto drivers charge high fare for small distances. A few residents of Barkas asserted that no metro rail in Old city means no solution to the traffic menace faced by them on daily basis, especially on the stretch from Saidabad and near Charminar area.
“Metro rail would reduce the everyday struggle of many. The school and college girls who are compelled to wait at the bus stops for long hours, the working people who are hassled in traffic jams and end up spending a lot commuting in autos will be benefited,” said Bahmaid brothers from Barkas. After resistance from local traders and politicians with respect to land acquisition for metro rail, HMRL had not initiated the works on the other side of river Musi.
Syed Mohsin, who represents Aam Admi Party, said, “The steps to initiate work in Old City remains mired in controversies as illegally encroached Wakf land will easily get identified during the construction of Metro Rail. The common man is bearing the brunt of tussle between politicians over the issue of construction.” However, AIMIM MLC Syed Jafri said , “Our party president Asaduddin Owaisi has repeatedly questioned why is Old City left out by HMRL. We strongly stand in support of our people asserting the demands for metro constructions to begin here.”
Heritage versus development
While many people believe that tourism will get a boost if metro rail line is extended upto Charminar, heritage patrons say Old City heritage will be ruined if metro runs through it. Hyderabad heritage enthusiast Sajjad Shahid said if metro construction is extended till Charminar, major parts of Old City’s rich heritage will be sacrificed to make way for new infrastructure.