Owaisi Demands Action on Delayed Shastripuram and Falaknuma RoBs Projects in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over prolonged delays in completing the Shastripuram and Falaknuma rail over bridges (RoBs), vital infrastructure projects pending for over four years. Owaisi highlighted the tragic loss of 10-15 lives during the Shastripuram RoB’s construction and sarcastically suggested the projects could set a Guinness World Record for incompleteness. He emphasized the critical importance of the Falaknuma RoB, which connects Hyderabad’s historic old city to Chandrayangutta, yet remains unfinished. In December 2023, Owaisi wrote to the South Central Railway (SCR) urging action, and while SCR promised completion by July 2024, progress remains uncertain.

Prolonged Delays in RoB Projects:

Shastripuram and Falaknuma RoBs: Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over delays in constructing these vital infrastructure projects.
Project Status: These projects have been pending for over four years, with Owaisi sarcastically suggesting they might set a Guinness World Record for incompleteness.
Human Cost: He pointed out the tragic loss of 10 to 15 lives during the Shastripuram RoB construction, underlining the urgent need for their completion.
Falaknuma RoB’s Significance:

It serves as a critical link between the historic old city of Hyderabad and Chandrayangutta, a major thoroughfare.
Despite its importance, the project remains incomplete.
Correspondence and Deadlines:

In December 2023, Owaisi wrote to the South Central Railway (SCR) to address the delay.
SCR assured that the construction would be completed by July 30, 2024, but progress remains uncertain.

Critique of Railway Amendment Bill, 2024

Shortcomings in the Bill:
Owaisi criticized the bill for failing to address critical issues like passenger safety, staff shortages, and fair compensation mechanisms for victims of railway accidents.
Call for Reforms:

Independent Regulator: Advocated for the creation of a regulatory body to oversee Indian Railways.
Financial Autonomy: Urged greater financial independence for zonal railway administrations to improve efficiency.
Enhanced Safety Measures: Emphasized reforms to prevent incidents like the tragic Balasore train collision.
Safety Vacancies:
Owaisi highlighted alarming statistics, revealing over 53,000 unfilled safety-related vacancies in the railway system, which pose significant risks to passenger security.

In summary, Owaisi’s interventions in the Lok Sabha emphasized the urgent need for accountability and systemic reforms in both the delayed Hyderabad RoB projects and broader Indian Railway operations.

Old City Metro Rail Works to Begin in January 2025

Hyderabad: The Old City Metro Rail project between MG Bus Stand and Chandrayangutta (a 7.5 km stretch) is set to begin preliminary construction by the first week of January 2025, as per Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) Managing Director (MD), NVS Reddy.

Land Acquisition and Demolition:

The land acquisition process is progressing rapidly, with over 1,100 properties identified for demolition to facilitate road widening and station construction.
Sketches for 800 properties have already been submitted to the District Collector.
Property demolitions will commence in the fourth week of December 2024.

Heritage and Religious Structures:

A total of 103 sensitive structures, including heritage and religious sites, will be preserved through innovative engineering and adjustments in metro pillar and station placements.

Technical and Financial Evaluation:

Proposals for Old City Metro’s Phase-2, including the Detailed Project Report (DPR), Construction Management Plan (CMP), and alternative analyses, are under evaluation by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.

Road Widening:

Roads along the Metro corridor will be widened as per the GHMC Master Plan:
- 100 feet width for the main road.
- 120 feet width in areas with Metro stations.
Current road widths:
- 50–60 feet between Darulshifa Junction and Shalibanda Junction.
- 80 feet between Shalibanda Junction and Chandrayangutta.
Affected portions:
- 20–25 feet from Darulshifa to Shalibanda.
- 10 feet from Shalibanda to Chandrayangutta.

Progress and Notifications:

Since August 2024, Metro authorities have issued notifications to property owners whose properties are affected by the project.

The Old City Metro aims to streamline connectivity while ensuring minimal impact on the area’s cultural and historical landmarks through meticulous planning and advanced engineering solutions.