Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur made it clear on Tuesday that it may not be possible to hear the grievances of half the population in the city over the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. The Chief Justice, along with Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar, was hearing a writ appeal by the Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd challenging an order of the single judge in granting a stay on execution of Corridor III of Metro Rail between Greenlands and Shilparamam.
Before commencing the hearing of the plea, the Metro Rail Authorities gave a power point presentation before the bench, explaining the need for the project and its importance for public transportation. After the power point presentation, Justice Lokur asked the authorities how each structure was being affected and directed them to place Google earth maps at the next hearing.
D.V. Seetharama Murthy, senior counsel representing the traders who will be affected by the project, contended that the alignment was being changed without consulting the large number of affected people of the area. A. Sudarshan Reddy, A-G, refuted this and told the bench that all affected persons had presented their grievances through their local MLA. The CJ asked the senior counsel to explain what sort of public hearing they sought.