A group of activists on Tuesday threatened to launch an agitation if the State government does not take urgent steps to initiate Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) work in Old City.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Old City Joint Action Committee (HMROCJAC) convener Taher Khundmiri said, “We will stage protests if the Telangana government does not start work immediately in Old City, which has been facing transport issues. For example, autorickshaws carry around eight children each to school every day. Hence, we demand that the Government start work on a war footing.”
Other members of the committee pointed out that it takes over an hour to commute between Falaknuma and Naya Pul — large parts of which are covered by the HMR’s Corridor II — on motorcycle. Travelling by car could take much longer, they opined.
The HMROCJAC accused the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of stalling metro rail work in Old City at the behest of ‘wealthy’ property owners who do not want their structures to be demolished to make way for the overhead transport system.
Though HMROCJAC was constituted just about a week ago, its joint convenor Samiullah Qureshi said each member has been working in their individual capacities to ensure that metro facility is extended to Old City residents, many of whom have expressed concern over HMR’s no-show. They said Corridor – II would ease traffic congestion and facilitate smooth connectivity to other parts of the town.
M.A. Waseem, a sales representative and resident of Darul Shifa, said, “I travel to Secunderabad every day for work. If the HMR covers Old City, life will get a lot easier.”
