Bandh against Metro Rail Corridor-III total

HYDERABAD: Slogans of ‘Metro rail should go underground’, ‘Say no to metro rail and save our businesses and families’ and ‘Metro rail is a real estate business and Hyderabadis don’t want such a project’ rented the air when hundreds of businessmen of Greenlands, Krishna Nagar, Yousufguda, Madhura Nagar and other places took out a massive rally in the city on Friday after observing a total trade bandh against the proposed Metro Rail Corridor-III route.The Metro Rail Corridor- III between Nagole and Shilparamam, covers Greenlands, Krishna Nagar, Yousufguda, Madhura Nagar and other areas.The people of the localities who formed the Traders Joint Action Committee (JAC), have decided to intensify the agitation demanding a change in the route of Metro Rail Corridor-III.The JAC has planned protests in the next few days to press for their demand. Traders of Sultan Bazaar, Putlibowli and Badi Chowdi had already launched an agitation demanding a change in the alignment of Metro Rail Corridor-II.MLA K T Rama Rao and other TRS leaders who took part in the rally, assured that their party would take up the cause of businessmen and bring pressure on the state government to change the route.Rama Rao said the project would render hundreds of weaker section families homeless if their lands and properties were acquired for the proposed rail route.“We will not allow the metro rail project bulldoze our properties. We will tooth and nail oppose the project as it will affect many small traders.” said JAC leader Shankar of Ameerpet, who is spearheading the agitation.Another trader Jiten Kanari said they decided to resist forcible acquisition of their lands and properties for the proposed metro rail project."We will garner the support of all political parties in this regard. The JAC will hold meetings, candlelight rallies and other protests in the next few days against the rail project," he said.JAC leader Sayanna of Krishna Nagar said as per the earlier proposal the corridor-III was to pass through Begumpet, Panjagutta, Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills.But the HMR authorities had changed the route to protect the lands and properties of the rich and influential people living in the posh areas.Another trader S Joginder Singh said the HMR and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation authorities were least bothered to look into the problems faced by hundreds of small traders.They want to acquire our lands and properties forcibly by paying a meagre compensation, S Joginder said.