High Court stays HMR works on key stretch

Ruling comes on writ petition filed by group of affected people who formed a Joint Action Committee

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday stayed the execution of all works of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) pertaining to corridor three between Greenlands and Shilparamam.

The stay orders were given by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, who was hearing a writ petition filed by a group of affected people who formed a Joint Action Committee. Their contention was that the metro rail alignment in respect of Ameerpet-Greenlands stretch was realigned without consulting the people whose properties would have to be demolished.

Judge's poser to HMR

Their contention was that the HMR was establishing shopping malls and undertaking commercial activity in the name of setting up railway stations, adversely affecting those losing their properties. The petitioners also contested the application of AP Tramways Act.

Concurring with the contention of the petitioners, Justice Reddy said that a scheme which involved transfer of government lands and acquisition of private lands could not be taken up without gathering public opinion. He also maintained that there appeared to be ‘serious lacunae in the very launch of the project under AP Tramsways Act.”

Justice Reddy wondered why the HMR authorities failed to take the opinion of the people to be affected. He felt that the authorities should have invited objections and suggestions and considered them dispassionately to arrive at an acceptable decision.

Targets State

Commenting on the government's attitude, the judge noted that the HMR appeared to immunise itself from any objections “and unfortunately the State, in its anxiety to spread a red carpet to a private agency, has chosen to violate and break the law enacted by itself.”