Hyderabad metro: Sultan Bazaar traders make a deal, road widening to be minimum

In a major breakthrough, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) on Friday reached an agreement with the Sultan Bazar traders, who were protesting against the metro going through the bazaar.

A report in the Times of India adds that the company and the traders agreed to a special package during a meeting between both the sides at the Metro Rail Bhavan on Friday. As part of the agreement, HMRL managing director N V S Reddy said, the company will ensure that all road widenings will be restricted to the minimum space required. 

The widening will be restricted to 80 feet near the Kachiguda crossroads and Bata junction on the Badi Chowdi stretch; 65 feet between Bata junction and Andhra Bank junction on the Sultan Bazaar stretch; and 80 feet from Andhra Bank to Putlibowli junction on Koti stretch, the report adds.

The two groups were in a dead lock since October after the 200-year-old historic market had earlier come under corridor-II of HMR's plans. Following many calls for a 'bandh' by the Sultan Bazaar Traders Association, a deal has finally worked out.

No religious or other sensitive structures will be affected.

In a press release, Reddy also said that a stretch of around 250 metres, will be developed as a 'hawkers paradise' with facilities below the Metro viaduct and platforms each measuring 6.6' x 3.3' with storage facility. 

The facility may also turn into a night bazaar soon.