Meeting on benefits of Metro marred by protests

HYDERABAD: A discussion on role of the Metro rail in development of city on Saturday was marred by disruptions by protesting activists of the TRS and traders of Sultan Bazar.The Hyderabad Metro Rail managing director NVS Reddy, who was giving a presentation on advantages of the Metro project at the Sundaraiah Vignana Kendram organised by Jana Chaitanya Vedika, was forced to leave the venue by the agitators.Trouble began when TRS workers led by Greater Hyderabad TRS Convener K Srinivas Yadav and joint convener A Venkatesh and Sultan Bazar traders stormed into the hall and raised vociferous slogans, demanding change in alignment of corridor-II (Jubilee Bus Station to Falaknuma). They also demanded that wherever the Metro is passing through heritage structures, it should be laid underground.NVS Reddy told agitators they would explain in detail about the project and that it is being implemented for development of the city. But TRS workers and traders did not heed to pleas and resorted to throwing tables and chairs, leading to the meeting ended abruptly.Meanwhile, C Ramachandraiah, convener, Citizens for Better Public Transportation in Hyderabad condemned Laxman Reddy of JCV for organising the meeting. “It is unfortunate to see that JCV which claims to fight against corruption is promoting a scam-tainted project,” he added.