Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued interim orders restraining the state government from carrying out any construction activities related to the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2 near prominent heritage sites, including Charminar and Falaknuma Palace. The court directed the government to submit a detailed report on the proposed metro corridor and its impact on nearby historical structures.
The orders were passed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by ACT Public Welfare Foundation, which alleged that Corridor-6 of Metro Phase 2 was being developed without conducting any heritage impact assessment. The petitioner contended that the construction could endanger several heritage monuments such as Purani Haveli, Darulshifa Masjid, and Moghulpura Tombs. The petitioner urged the court to mandate an independent study by a committee comprising heritage experts, urban planners, environmentalists, and local representatives.
Representing the state, the Additional Advocate General sought three weeks to file a counter affidavit. The bench, comprising Justice Sujay Paul and Justice Yarra Renuka, accepted the request but made it clear that no construction work should proceed near Charminar and Falaknuma Palace until further notice. The next hearing has been scheduled after the government’s counter is filed.