Huge Nizam assets block Metro works
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Properties of the erstwhile Nizam’s Estate are threatening to delay the progress of the Rs 13,000-crore Hyderabad Metro Rail project. Though some of these properties beca-me state-owned after Hyd-erabad was merged with the Indian Union, a large number of properties are still in the hands of private occupants, who have been in residence on the properties for the past several decades.
There are over 300 such properties that are standing in the way of the Metro Rail project. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which is acquiring the properties for HMR authorities, are finding the acquisition difficult. A majority of the occupants have pattas iss-ued by the erstwhile Nizam government, while others have sale deeds. Some have been staying there for over 80 years now. As per the revenue records, a large number of properties have been shown as government- owned lands. There are over 100 such properties between Musheerabad-Chikkadpally, Sultan Bazaar, Charminar, Shah Ali Banda and Falaknuma stretch; another 50 on Ameerpet-SR Nagar-Erragadda stretch; and over 100 on the Chaderghat-Malakpet section. All these routes are part of the three corridors of Hyderabad Metro Rail, i.e., Miyapur to LB Nagar, Jubilee Bus Station to Falaknuma and Nagole to Shilparamam.
Highly-placed sources said using the Land Acquisition Act to acquire these lands will result in a prolonged legal battle with the occupants. But an out-of-court settlement would mean giving compensation to occupants of government land, as a large number of these lands have been shown as state-owned in Revenue records.
“As per policies, compensation will not be paid for government properties giving way to the Metro Rail project. Land titles have to be clear in all aspects if compensation has to be paid,” said a GHMC official, adding, the delay in acquisition of these lands will result in huge cost escalation in the Metro Rail project. GHMC additional commissioner K. Dhanunjaya Reddy confirmed that there were nearly 300 such properties. “We are negotiating with them, but in many cases, the owners were willing to give up the lands, but their tenants were refusing to vacate. To avoid delay in the project execution, government recently gave permission to acquire such properties by paying ex-gratia, which will not be termed compensation. We are negotiating with the owners and occupants,” Mr Dhanunjaya added.
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