15 February 2012.

Press Release
Metro Corridor 3 works continue contrary
 to assurance to High Court

Despite the State government giving an undertaking on Friday (11^th Feb) before Justice L. Narasimha Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that it would not proceed with any construction activity relating to the Metro Corridor 3 (Nagole to Shilparama), there has been no halt to any of the metro works. (See the photos taken today – 15 Feb).

 A visit by the civil society activists revealed that the works have been going on as usual. This is a clear breach of the word by the State government given to the Hon’ble High Court. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Greenlands, Ameerpet, Madhuranagar, Yousufguda, SriKrishna Nagar Joint Action Committee and 20 others.

We demand that the State government must keep its word in this regard. We also appeal to the Hon’ble Court to take this matter seriously.

Sd/-Prof. C. Ramachandraiah, Convenor, CBPTH, (Mobile: 94400 35405)

Mr. S. Jeevan Kumar, State President, Human Rights Forum, Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. O.M. Debara, General Secretary, Forum For a Better Hyderabad (FBH)

Press Release-Metro Corridor 3 works continue despite assurance to High Court Metro Corridor 3 works continue despite assurance to High Court Press Release - Metro Corridor-3 works continue Contrary to Assurance to High Court

15 February 2012.

Press Release

Metro Corridor 3 works continue

despite assurance to High Court

Despite the State government giving an undertaking on Friday (11^th Feb) before Justice L. Narasimha Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that it would not proceed with any construction activity relating to the Metro Corridor 3 (Nagole to Shilparama), there has been no halt to any of the metro works. (See the attached photos taken today – 15 Feb).

A visit by the civil society activists revealed that the works have been going on as usual. This is a clear breach of the word by the State government given to the Hon’ble High Court. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Greenlands, Ameerpet, Madhuranagar, Yousufguda, SriKrishna Nagar Joint Action Committee and 20 others.

We demand that the State government must keep its word in this regard. We also appeal to the Hon’ble Court to take this matter seriously.

Sd/-

Prof. C. Ramachandraiah, Convenor, CBPTH, (Mobile: 94400 35405)

Mr. S. Jeevan Kumar, State President, Human Rights Forum, Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. O.M. Debara, General Secretary, Forum For a Better Hyderabad (FBH)

Corridor 3 works halted by High Court

Halt ‘corridor three' metro rail works, says court

HYDERABAD, February 11, 2012,

The State government on Friday gave an undertaking before Justice L. Narasimha Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that it would not proceed with any construction activity relating to Alignment III of the Metro Rail in the city that passes through the areas from Greenlands to Yousufguda via Ameerpet and Srinagar Colony.The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Greenlands, Ameerpet, Madhuranagar, Yousufguda, SriKrishna Nagar Joint Action Committee and 20 others.

They contended that the proposed route for the third corridor was prepared without regard to the efficacy of the alternative route initially approved/tentatively decided for the said segment. Counsel appearing for the petitioners said that the authorities were not filing their response before the court on the one hand, and, on the other, proceeding with work on the field.

The pleader represeting the State government assured the Hight Court that the government would not carry out any operations until it comes up with a counter affidavit in this regard.

Rs. 1.75 cr land acquisition scam unearthed in Metro Rail project

This is only the beginning in the Metro rail scam. And only 17 properties. More can be detected if properly enquired into as the land acquisition process continues for thousands of properties. There is something for everybody to loot in the metro rail scandal in Hyderabad! Read the story: 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Rs-1-75-crore-land-compensation-scam-unearthed/articleshow/11801477.cms

Metro to adversely affect about 40000 street vendors

Metro all set to derail livelihood, fear hawkers

Times of India, Hyderabad, Feb 7, 2012.

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metro Rail Project threatens to displace an estimated 40,000 street vendors across the city. At a meeting of various hawkers' associations held in Gudimalkapur on Monday, hawkers demanded that their livelihoods be protected. 

Inayat Ali Baquiri, general secretary, National Hawkers' Federation (AP), said, "We pla n to protest against the metro rail project. If affected shop owners are given alternatives, hawkers must be given earmar ked hawking zones. The development of the city is important but not at the cost of a poor man's income." The associations plan to stage a dharna at the Assembly on March 30.

They also sought the implementation of the Supreme Court order on the protection of the livelihoods of hawkers. Shaktiman Ghosh, general secretary, National Hawkers' Federation, said, "The Supreme Court had asked state governments to provide for the protection of street vendors by June 30, 2011, since it recognised vendors carrying out their business as a fundamental right. The order remains unimplemented and, therefore, is a blatant contempt of court." He said that the policy and bill were first drafted in Andhra Pradesh and that it was unfortunate that hawkers remain ignored. 

Hawkers also demanded that the Model Street Vendors Bill - which provides for protection of the livelihoods and regulates street vending -be passed at the Centre and state level, as it would protect them from displacement due to the metro rail project.

Representatives of various hawker associations said that a mere policy for the protection of their businesses was inadequate. They demanded an Act to be passed by Parliament which would protect them from harassment by police and GHMC officials. With governments of various states including Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, having implemented the policy, hawkers questioned why the AP government had failed to do so. 

Good News - PM's Visit to Hyderabad Postponed/Cancelled

The proposed visit of the Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, to Hyderabad on 4th February has been postponed/cancelled. He was to lay foundation stone to the metro rail project which is a big scandal. One hopes it will not materialise.

Hyderabad Metro to demolish poor children's schools

Three government schools in Chaderghat to face demolition for Hyderabad metro. Hundreds of children from poor and low income families study in these schools. They are planning for a big protest dharna on 31st January. This is a news item of their dharna on the Republic Day (The New Indian Express, 27 Jan, 2012).