Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) Managing Director NVS Reddy announced that land acquisition and demolition for the 7.5 km Old City Metro Corridor are nearing completion, with most of the required Right of Way (RoW) now secured.

Following CM Revanth Reddy’s directive, work is progressing rapidly to fulfill the long-standing demand for Metro connectivity in the Old City. Of the initially estimated 1,100 affected properties, innovative planning has reduced the number to 886. Over 550 demolitions have already been completed, and Rs 433 crore in compensation has been disbursed to property owners.

Despite challenges such as rain, festivals, and Muharram, the project has advanced smoothly with minimal disruption to residents. One of the key hurdles removal of complex underground electrical cables has been resolved.

Preparatory work for Metro pillars and stations is in full swing. Key activities include DGPS-based high-precision surveys, identification and diversion of underground utilities, geotechnical testing, and protection of heritage structures. The road is being widened to 100 feet, requiring the demolition of impacted structures.

Advanced technologies like DGPS and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) are being used for accurate mapping and detection of subsurface utilities. Pillar locations are being finalized using satellite-based GNSS positioning, with control points and milestone markers established every 100 meters.

Coordination with agencies like GHMC, Hyderabad Water Board, TGSPDCL, and BSNL is underway to relocate utilities. Soil strength and groundwater levels are also being tested to ensure stable foundations.

Sensitive heritage structures along the route have been carefully considered, and the alignment adjusted accordingly. Reddy affirmed that all technical groundwork is being expedited to kick start the Metro works in the Old City soon.