Hyderabad metro Delay speculated: wakf land dispute

Phase-1 of Hyderabad Metro Rail project has got entangled in land acquisition issues. At the center of the imbroglio is the  (APSWB), which has slapped a notice against the metro project. The reason for this move is due to the acquisition of 900 sq yards of land by the metro project, issued to a wakf institution in Kukatpally, without the approval of APSWB. This is the second such instance within a week.
The Phase-1 of Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project includes 3 lines, and covers a distance of about 71 kms. Implementation of the project is entirely on PPP basis, with the state government holding only a minority equity stake. This phase of the project extends between Nagole and Mettuguda, which is about 8 kms, and between Miyapur and S.R Nagar, stretching 12 kms. Kukatpally is the 4th station on the Miyapur- S.R Nagar stretch, which falls under the second line of the project. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.141.32 billion, of which L&T bears 90% of the cost, while the central government bears just 10%. It is expected to be operational by March, 2015, if work on the project proceeds as expected.
Following the alleged illegal land acquisition, APSWB issued notices to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) as well as other authorities associated with the project. The APSWB task force rushed into action and put on hold land acquisition for the metro rail. They have also lodged a complaint with the Kukatpally police station. They have alleged that the HMR and the GHMC have worked hand in glove in the land acquisition. As alleged by the APSWB, the GHMC paid a compensation of Rs. 1.85 crores to a person who claimed to be the mutawalli or custodian of the institution, even though the land was actually under their direct control. Besides, to acquire land for the HMRL under survey numbers 582 and 583, the GHMC demolished an arch without the knowledge of the APSWB.
Furthur, wakf issued a notice to GHMC regarding an illegal construction that is being carried out by Standard Engineering Works. It has also been alleged by APSWB that this is not the first instance of such illegal land acquisitions been made by GHMC for land that comes under their purview. Allegedly, citing road widening issues, the GHMC had illegaly acquired properties of Nala-e-Mubarak in Begumpet, in the late 90s and then again in 2006, for which compensation is yet to be paid. Reportedly, there is another case pending in the Wakf Tribunal against the GHMC for which the APSWB has obtained a stay order. It relates to a multi-crore project in Karwan for road-widening that the GHMC undertook without the approval of the APSWB.
With a history of allegations that the APSWB has against the GHMC, it is yet to be seen how the GHMC wriggles out of this impasse and gets its act together so that the work on the metro work along this crucial route is not stalled. In an eventuality, it is important that a consensus is reached between both parties so that a deadlock can be avoided. If not, the deadline of March, 2015 that has been set for completion of phase-1 will have to be extended, hinging on the verdict in this case.