The Telangana High Court has taken a decisive step in the ongoing legal dispute concerning the second phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. On Thursday, the court instructed both the Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) and the petitioners who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to prepare and deliver detailed PowerPoint presentations. This visual approach aims to clarify the contentious issue of potential damage to heritage structures along the proposed route.
Court Directs Visual Presentations for Clarity
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin, has scheduled these presentations for February 4. The court's directive stems from its desire to gain a clearer, more tangible understanding of the arguments from both sides. The core conflict lies between the petitioners' claim that the project threatens several notified heritage buildings and the government's firm stand that no such structures are in jeopardy.
The Heart of the Legal Dispute
The PIL was filed by the Act Public Welfare Foundation (APWF), an NGO, and advocate Mohammed Omer. Their primary allegations are serious. They contend that the proposed Phase II metro route could cause significant damage to heritage buildings. Furthermore, they argue that the authorities initiated work without two critical steps: conducting a comprehensive heritage impact assessment and securing the necessary statutory approvals.
In earlier proceedings, the court had asked the authorities to submit maps illustrating the proposed metro alignment and the location of heritage and religious sites cited by the petitioners. The suggestion for a visual presentation emerged from this, as the bench believed it would aid in comprehending the spatial and factual complexities of the case.
Both Sides Prepare Their Cases
During Thursday's hearing, Additional Advocate General Mohammed Imran Khan, representing the state government, informed the court that their presentation was in its final stages and would be ready soon. On the other side, counsel for the petitioners, Immaneni Rama Rao, assured the court that he would also prepare a presentation to visually demonstrate how the proposed route could adversely affect the heritage structures along its path.
Taking note of both submissions and the request for time to finalize preparations, the bench adjourned the matter. The case is now officially posted for February 4, when the court will examine the visual evidence and arguments presented by both the Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited and the citizen petitioners. The outcome of this hearing could significantly influence the future trajectory of the crucial metro expansion project in Hyderabad.
