Hyderabad Metro Rail wins four-year legal battle to construct at Secunderabad

In a major legal victory for the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), authorities stated that the demolition of the Padmahamsa apartments in Secunderabad was underway, after paying a compensation of Rs 9.5 crore to 24 flats and 12 shops in the building.

The legal case was filed by the residents in 2010, and has finally come to an end.

The building, which is situated adjacent to the ISCKON temple, was a hurdle in the construction of an important 300 meter stretch between Sangeet junction and St Ann's school, The New Indian Express reported.

Besides the building's residents, a massive protest had also broken out between the temple and the government.

In July 2013, the temple started a mass movement with many political leaders and devotees taking to the streets, after a notification sought to acquire 1,700 sq yards of the 3,500 sq yards belonging to the temple.

After more than a year of protests and several rounds of discussions, the authorities decided in June 2014, that they would acquire only 612.77 sq. yards.

"The contentious issue of payment of 'traffic block charges' to the railways is also being amicably sorted out and metro RoB works will resume in the next few days," a HMR statement said.

"Hyderabad Metro project will be fast-tracked now and the prospects of extending the 'ready to be commenced' Nagole-Mettuguda section of corridor III up to Begumpet by mid next year have brightened," HMR managing director NVS Reddy told TOI.

Also read - Never ending construction woes: Why the Hyderabad Metro Rail is plagued by delay