No metro stations at Charminar, Shalibanda and Shamsheergunj

The iconic Charminar, Shalibanda and Shamsheerganj will not have metro rail stations. Rather they will be connected to the elevated project through the ‘merry go around’ feeder buses to and from the stations as the TS government is likely to accept the Majlis’ alternative route proposal in the old city beginning from MGBS on Corridor Two.

Salarjung Museum station too will be relocated in the new route but there will be new elevated stations in Muslim Jung, Bahadurpura, Zoo Park, Kalapathar and Misrigunj. It means there will be a net gain of two stations on the route, disclosed senior officials, not willing to be identified.

The original metro line was from Darulshifa, Alizakotla, Haribowli to Falaknuma, where 1,025 properties and 35-odd religious are likely to be affected and from MGBS it is 4.2 km. The stage is now set for an elaborate geo-technical survey on the alternative route passing through Puranapul, Muslimjung, Zoo Park, Tadbun junction, Kalapathar, Misrigunj and Shamsheergunj. It is 7.4 km from MGBS.

The metre by metre study will look into the horizontal and vertical angles for the metro line. This will indicate the exact extent of the alignment and properties getting affected and the same was not allowed on the original route ever since the MIM floated the alternative route theory. The extra 3.2 km may cost about Rs.800 crore as per government estimates.

Notwithstanding the lack of unanimity at the first all party meeting over the issue (it did not even come up for discussion in the second), senior officials are also gearing up for the inevitable changes at Sultan Bazar and the Legislative Assembly.

“The government has the right to make alignment changes if it deems fit even though the original routes proposed were finalised only after technical studies. Changes are not impossible and will no way affect the timeframe given for completion of the project as the government has agreed to compensate for any extra cost,” they assert.

Interestingly, a section of the vocal traders association in Sultan Bazar after having opposed the original alignment are unable to digest the proposed change where the metro line will pass through Badi Chowdi, Tilak Park, open ground of Koti Women’s College and from behind Osmania Medical College. Originally, it was to go from Sultan Bazar to Andhra Bank, OMC, Rangmahal junction & MGBS.

The new ‘turn’ will ensure reduction in the viaduct length by less than a kilometre or about 0.7 km to be more precise. Number of properties to be acquired also comes down to 30 from 73 in the original alignment, officials reveal.

Similarly, the CM’s directive to take the metro line behind the Legislative Assembly alongside the existing rail tracks is likely to reduce the viaduct distance by 15 metres. While Lakidikapul elevated station will remain, the viaduct will turn towards the DGP offices to reach the railway track and resurface on the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University road onwards to the Nampally road.

“About 19 government properties will be affected and 21 piers will have to be sawed off. We expect the cost to be about Rs.50 crore, including for construction of a multi-storeyed building for the police,” they say.