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Saturday, Jan 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Metro Rail: proper rehabilitation urged

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday demanded the government to begin the Metro Rail project only after providing proper rehabilitation to traders and owners whose properties would be affected.

Addressing a meeting here, State BJP president Bandaru Dattatreya said the government should compensate them as per the present day market value. “We are not against the project that eases traffic congestion in the twin cities. Our only appeal is that it must be started after ensuring rehabilitation,” he said.

Around 300 traders and owners of the residential and commercial properties situated on the main road from RTC crossroads to Narayanguda would be affected by the project. Most of the buildings on the metro line routes would be demolished to a large extent.

All-party meet sought

Mr. Dattatreya requested Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to convene an all party meeting to discuss the issue. “A war-like situation will prevail if this problem is not immediately addressed,” the senior BJP leader cautioned.

The government is proposing to take up the first phase of the project across three routes - Jubilee Bus Station to Falaknuma (14.78 km), Miyapur to L. B. Nagar (29.87 km) and Hubsiguda to Shilparamam (21.74 km) in a few months from now at a cost of nearly Rs. 8,500 crore.

Property-owners and traders suggested that shopping complexes should be constructed on government lands as an alternative measure to the affected businessmen. “My future looks bleak as more than 50 per cent of my shop will be razed,” B. Ravi, who owns a hardware shop in Chikkadpally, said.

Some owners criticised the municipal officials for their “failure” to allay the residents’ fears.

“I was forced to move from pillar to post for getting documents from the Town Planning wing. I still have no clue on how much property I will lose and the compensation measures,” a resident, K. Lavanya remarked.

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Andhra Pradesh