Hyderabad, August 6: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday continued hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to halt Hyderabad Old City Metro Rail works in the Charminar Heritage Precinct, Falaknuma Heritage Precinct, and other notified heritage zones until statutory approvals and a Heritage Impact Assessment are completed.
The petition was filed by the Act Public Welfare Foundation (APWF), represented by its president, Mohammed Rahim Khan. It seeks suspension of construction until authorities comply with the Telangana Heritage Act, 2017, and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Hyderabad Old City Metro Rail Works Under Court Scrutiny
The petitioner argued that the government initially claimed the Metro project would not affect any heritage or religious structures. However, it later acknowledged that three structures were impacted. He further claimed official records identify six Grade 1 heritage structures and 102 heritage and sensitive structures along the proposed route.
The petitioner also told the court that photographs submitted as evidence showed damage to certain structures, despite the government’s claim that no demolition had taken place.
Meanwhile, the State government opposed the PIL and termed the allegations incorrect. Additional Advocate General Mohammed Imran Khan informed the court that only a few notified heritage structures fall along the Metro alignment. He said several identified buildings would neither be acquired nor disturbed.
The government submitted a detailed affidavit explaining the status of each heritage structure on the proposed corridor. It assured the court that no acquisition or demolition would occur without following the legal process, including denotification wherever necessary.
Referring to photographs, the government maintained that heritage structures such as Aliabad Sarai and the old MCH building at Darulshifa remain intact. It added that while some nearby private properties were removed, no notified heritage building had been demolished.
However, the petitioner argued that the issue concerns the protection of entire heritage precincts rather than only individual buildings. He contended that any construction affecting a notified heritage zone requires prior statutory approval, even if no listed structure is directly acquired.
After hearing both sides, the High Court said it would examine all submissions and documents before issuing further directions. The matter has been posted for the next hearing on August 27.
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