HYDERABAD, November 2025 — As urban centers like Hyderabad continue to expand their public transportation networks, integrating new infrastructure projects, such as metro rail expansions, presents the complex challenge of balancing development with the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. The ongoing Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II expansion exemplifies this, prompting judicial oversight to ensure progress does not compromise the city’s legacy.

The Telangana High Court’s Division Bench has directed the Commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the Hyderabad Heritage Conservation Committee, and the Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd. to provide a detailed graphical representation or drawing. This visual documentation must indicate structures potentially affected by the alignment of Phase-II, Corridor-VI of the metro project.

The directive underscores the court’s intent to thoroughly assess the potential impact of the proposed route on heritage sites, particularly those located directly above or near the planned alignment. The requested information is crucial for ensuring that development proceeds responsibly, potentially guiding route adjustments or mitigation strategies if significant heritage risks are identified.

This request follows earlier assurances made on April 17, 2025, when the authorities undertook before the Chief Justice’s Bench that no declared archaeological structure would be impacted or demolished during construction of Metro Rail Phase-II. The court’s current demand for visual evidence seeks to verify compliance with these assurances and provide a clearer picture of the project’s potential heritage footprint.

The case highlights the vital role of judicial review in infrastructure development, ensuring environmental and heritage considerations are adequately addressed. As Hyderabad continues to grow, such legal scrutiny reminds stakeholders to prioritize meticulous planning and transparent communication regarding the impact of large-scale urban projects on the city’s cultural landscape.

Source: The Hans India