Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has stepped in to halt Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2 construction near Charminar and Falaknuma, issuing interim orders Thursday that ban any activity around the city’s most iconic heritage sites, at least for now.
The move came during hearings on a public interest litigation filed by the ACT Public Welfare Foundation. The petition takes aim at the government’s decision to move ahead with Corridor-6 of the Hyderabad Metro through the Old City without first carrying out a heritage impact study. Petitioners argue that the proposed alignment for Metro Phase 2 cuts too close to several historic sites, among them Purani Haveli, Darulshifa Masjid, and Moghalpura Tomb, posing a real risk to fragile, centuries-old architecture.
A bench led by Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Yara Renuka demanded that the state file a detailed counter, laying out the scope of planned construction and its proximity to protected landmarks. The Foundation has asked the court to set up an independent expert panel – made up of conservationists, urban planners, environmentalists, and community reps – to study the risks.
The plea also cites both state and national heritage laws, stressing that no construction should move forward near listed monuments without proper clearance.
The Additional Advocate General, representing the state, asked for three weeks to prepare a full response. The court agreed—but until then, all metro activity near the heritage zone is on hold.
The case will resume once the government files its reply.