The land acquisition process for Hyderabad Metro rail's phase-II project in the Old City has been expedited, focusing on the nearly 7.5-kilometer-long MGBS-Chandrayangutta route.

According to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s instructions, the acquisition of 1,100 affected properties is progressing rapidly, stated NVS Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HAML).

Reddy and Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durisetty are jointly overseeing the acquisition process, as per an official release.

The HAML Managing Director noted that requisitions for 900 properties have been submitted to the District Collector under the Land Acquisition Act, with preliminary notifications issued for 800 properties. The Collector has also finalized the preliminary declaration for 400 properties.

Compensation for 200 affected properties is expected to be completed by the end of this month, after which demolition work will begin.

NVS Reddy clarified that the swift land acquisition process will facilitate the construction of the metro route in the Old City. Negotiations with property owners are also ongoing.

Efforts are being made to preserve religious and historical structures during the road expansion and metro construction by implementing engineering solutions, he added.