Old City Metro Progress: Hyderabad Old City Metro Project Nears Major Milestone as Land Acquisition Reaches 93 Percent

Old City Metro Progress: The long awaited Hyderabad Old City Metro project has moved closer to execution, with authorities completing a major portion of the land acquisition process required for the second phase of the metro corridor. Officials confirmed that 825 out of 888 identified properties have already been acquired, taking the overall acquisition rate to nearly 93 percent.

As the project advances, authorities have also begun demolition activities in locations where compensation has been disbursed. Around Rs 820 crore has already been paid to affected property owners, ensuring that the acquisition process proceeds with minimal disruption to residents and businesses along the route.

The proposed 7.5 kilometer metro corridor will connect MGBS and Chandrayangutta through several key Old City areas including Darulshifa, Purani Haveli, Alija Kotla, Hari Bowli, Shalibanda, Shamsheerganj, and Falaknuma. The project is expected to significantly improve urban mobility and public transport access in one of Hyderabad’s most densely populated regions.

One of the biggest challenges in the corridor is the presence of numerous heritage, religious, and culturally significant structures. Metro planners have carefully designed the alignment to avoid damage to around 105 such landmarks, preserving the historical identity of the Old City while allowing infrastructure development to continue.

A small number of properties are still awaiting clearance due to legal disputes and ownership issues. Some cases are currently before courts, while others are being examined by authorities handling land acquisition and rehabilitation matters. Certain parcels identified for acquisition have also become part of disputes related to Waqf properties, leading to ongoing legal proceedings.

Despite these pending issues, officials say the majority of property acquisition has been completed smoothly. Three heritage structures among the remaining properties are under review by conservation authorities before final decisions are taken.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Metro Rail has initiated the process of appointing a general consultancy agency to supervise construction activities and provide technical guidance. Tenders have already been invited, indicating that full scale project execution could begin soon.

Transport department officials said road widening works in critical and congested stretches, including Aliabad and nearby areas, will be accelerated in the coming months. Once operational, the metro line is expected to transform connectivity across the Old City and ease traffic pressure on major roads.