A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the AP High Court seeking stoppage of all works pertaining to execution of the Hyerabad Metro Rail project in the areas adjacent to heritage structures like State Assembly, Moazzam Jahi Market and the Carminner.
The petitioners, retired IAS officer VK Bawa and the Forum for a Better Hyderabad member OM Debara, submitted to the court that the authorities concerned including principal secretary to municipal administration and urban development, HMDA metropolitan commissioner, HMRL managing director and others finalised the HMRL project without taking care of the protection of the area around heritage structures.
They urged the court to issue an interim order as construction works like erecting pillars have yet not commenced in the vicinity of heritage sites. They also wanted the court to direct the authorities to ensure that the Metro project takes underground route near heritage sites.
It is estimated that at least 14 notified heritage buildings are to be affected due to the elevated metro railway corridor works between Miyapur and LB Nagar, JBS and Falaknama, and Nagole and Shilparamam.
The matter will come up for hearing before a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice PC Ghose and justice Vilas V Afzulpurkar on Monday.