High Court seeks government response on plea to halt Metro expansion from MGBS to Shamshabad

The Telangana High Court has directed the government to respond to a PIL seeking a halt to the metro expansion from MGBS to Shamshabad. The next hearing is scheduled for April 3.

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has asked the state government to submit its response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the metro rail expansion from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Shamshabad. The court granted the government three weeks to file its reply and scheduled the next hearing for April 3.

The court also instructed the petitioner to submit a counter-reply to the government’s response within this period. The PIL was filed by Mohammad Rahim Khan, president of the ACT Public Welfare Foundation, requesting an order to halt the metro expansion project.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara heard the case on Thursday. The petitioner argued that the metro expansion would negatively impact historical structures in the vicinity, posing a threat to landmarks such as Charminar, Falaknuma, and Darulshifa.

Additionally, the petitioner contended that no measures had been taken to protect these monuments. He requested the court to direct the formation of a committee consisting of experts from the archaeology and environmental sectors to conduct a detailed study on the matter.