Old City Metro Rail JAC to stage protest rally tomorrow

Charminar: The Old City Metro Rail JAC represented by almost all the political parties except MIM has called upon the residents to join their protest rally scheduled to take place on Saturday. Alleging that the local political influence was depriving about 30 per cent of the city population, the JAC asked the denizens to come out of the mindset of being mere vote bank. 

Speaking to media persons at Old City Congress party office, former corporator, Mohammed Ghouse said that the JAC has decided to take out a protest rally, as the government failed to upkeep its promise of coming up with Metro in Old City. He said that development of the City, particularly in view of formation of separate State should be uniform and Old City cannot be neglected under any circumstances. “We have waited for almost for 4-months and have now decided to continue agitation for bringing Metro Rail in this part of the City. It will not only help students of the area, but also help flourish businesses and tourism,” he noted. 

ET Narasimha, CPI secretary (Hyderabad council) said that even though the State government appeared to have yielded to the demand the Metro in the beginning of the year, but it turned out to be farce, as no fiscal survey was conducted nor any funds were released. He said that other new proposals were awarded funds, but the issue of Old City remained in a backburner. He alleged that both TRS and MIM were fooling around the people in this part of the City. “Why this part of the City with almost 30 per cent of the population are being deprived of the developmental process worth Rs 30,000 crore (Metro Rail spending)? he questioned. 

BJP leader, Ch Roop Raj questioned as to why Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao promised for Metro Rail in Old City during the Budget Session. He also blamed both TRS and MIM for undermining the importance of development in the area. He said that false promises made by the current government would prove detrimental for the ruling party, as people would teach a lesson. “If the government does not support the demand for Metro Rail, the JAC would not shy away from sitting on fast on to death in the next phase of protests,” he affirmed. 

Social activist and former TDP leader, Osman Bin Mohammed Al Hajri said that the struggle which was started about a year back by the JAC would continue till the objective is achieved. He called upon the residents of the area to come in large numbers to exert pressure on the government for Metro Rail.