Hyderabad Old City Metro: HMRL Conducts Drone Survey, To Protect Sensitive Structures In Old City

Following the instructions of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to accelerate preparatory works for the Metro Rail in the Old City, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has started conducting a drone survey of the Metro rail alignment and the properties that will be affected in the area.

This project, part of the Corridor-II (Green Line) in the Old City, has long been pending and is now being implemented by the state government.

The 5.5 km metro alignment in the old city stretches from MGBS to Falaknuma, passing through Darulshifa junction, Purani Haveli, Ettebar Chowk, Alijakotla, Mir Momin Daira, Haribowli, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj, and Aliabad.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain precise measurements of the properties that will be impacted by the road widening in the narrow stretch between Darulshifa junction and Shalibanda junction, as well as for the construction of Metro stations.

The MGBS to Falaknuma corridor is of strategic importance, and the Metro stations along this route will improve accessibility to sites such as the Salar Jung Museum and Charminar.

One of the major challenges in the construction of the Metro in this area is the protection of approximately 103 religious and other sensitive structures, including 21 masjids, 12 temples, 12 ashoor khanas, 33 dargas, seven graveyards, and six chillas.

However, the use of drone surveys will aid in developing appropriate engineering solutions to safeguard these structures.

The alignment and positioning of Metro pillars are being carefully planned to ensure minimal impact on these structures, according to HMRL MD NVS Reddy.

This survey allows for the quick collection of real-time data, high-resolution imagery, 3D modelling, seamless integration of GIS (Geographic Information System) data and CAD software, as well as data analysis and visualisation.

Tenders are currently being finalised for soil testing, which is scheduled to begin in the coming days. The testing will start from the Falaknuma end, where the Falaknuma metro station will be located, as per The New Indian Express report.

In addition to the MGBS Metro station, the 5.5 km Metro stretch in the Old City will include four other stations: Salarjung Museum, Charminar (both stations will be approximately 500 meters away from these two monuments), Shalibanda, and Falaknuma.

The Old City extension of metro connectivity was allocated Rs 500 crore by the state government in the 2022-23 budget.