Falaknuma-jbs stretch in focus

With the Hyderabad Metro Rail project picking up speed in Corridor-I and III, where 22 piers have already been erected, the focus has now shifted to the controversial Corridor-II, where the project has been facing resistance from traders in Chikkadpally, Sultan Bazaar and some parts of the old city.

The builder, L&T, is ready with plans to begin metro rail work on Corridor-II by launching soil investigations and barricading within a week. Officials have decided to complete the task in a single phase in Corridor-II, unlike in the other two corridors, which were taken up in phases.

Corridor-II route extends over 14 kilometres from Jubilee bus station to Falaknuma. As many as 16 metro stations will come up along this stretch.

Of all the corridors, this route poses a major challenge as it passes through congested areas in Musheerabad, Chikkadpally, Narayanaguda, Kacheguda, Sultan Bazaar, Badi Chawdi and areas in old city. This requires road widening on either side in order to construct pillars in the middle of the road, to ensure that traffic is not disrupted during construction works. The officials have already widened roads by acquiring some private properties but the acquisition process is yet to be completed due to resistance from traders.

However, the HMR officials are offering a rehabilitation package for the traders to house them in multi-storeyed shopping complexes in Putlibowli and Chikkadpally.