Bhopal Metro route faces Waqf Board objection:Panel warns of damage to thousands of graves, seeks route change

A new controversy has emerged regarding the metro passing beneath a cemetery in Bhopal. The metro will now pass under the cemetery. The Waqf Board committee has raised objections to this. The committee says that this poses a risk of damage to the graves, and the metro plan should be changed. The dispute over Waqf properties related to the metro project has now become legal. The Committee Auqaf-e-Amma has filed two separate cases in the Madhya Pradesh State Waqf Tribunal against the proposed underground metro line beneath the ancient cemetery located at Bhopal Talkies and construction on Waqf land in Nariyalkheda. Senior advocate Ansar ul Haq and advocate Ibrahim Sarwat Sharif Khan are representing the committee. In both cases, a demand has been made for an immediate stay on metro construction. Additionally, regarding the controversy over the metro line in Bhopal, MLA Atif Aqeel has strongly opposed the line passing through the cemetery area and raised a demand to change the planning. Controversy over underground metro line deepens In the first case, serious objections have been raised against the plan to construct an underground metro line beneath the registered Waqf cemetery areas of Hamidiya Road’s Masooma Takia Ammanshah, Masjid Noorani, Mullashah, and others. The petition states that this cemetery is not only historically and religiously significant, but is also counted among the city’s oldest and largest cemeteries, where thousands of graves exist. The committee claims that approximately one acre of area could be directly affected by the proposed metro line, which would pose a threat to the existence and structure of a large number of graves. It has also been alleged that officials associated with the Metro project have not yet made public the detailed map, technical report or safety assessment of this area, which has increased concerns. Advocate Ibrahim Sarwat Sharif Khan says that several judgments of the Supreme Court and different High Courts have made it clear that the original nature (niyat) of a graveyard cannot be changed under any circumstances. He argued that even though the Metro line is being described as underground, excavation below the graveyard, tunnel construction and vibrations can cause damage to the graves and religious structures present there. He also said that if the proposed plan is implemented, thousands of graves could be affected, which would not only hurt religious sentiments but could also become a sensitive social issue. Nariyalkheda: Allegation of ‘Unauthorized’ Construction on Waqf Land The second case is related to the land of Waqf Nishat Afza (Waqe Bagh) located in Nariyalkheda, where serious irregularities have been alleged regarding the metro construction work. According to the petition, approximately 11.93 hectares of land under Khasra number 88 is duly registered as Waqf property, whose registration exists in the Waqf register and has also been published in the Gazette. The committee claims that a portion of this land is under their management and control, despite which the Metro company started construction work without permission. The plaintiff has alleged that the process of digging pits and constructing pillars has been initiated on approximately 1.40 acres of Waqf land. Heavy machinery has been deployed at the site, iron rods are being laid, and debris of soil and construction materials has been accumulated on a large scale. The committee states that this entire action is not only an encroachment on Waqf property, but is also causing damage to the original condition of the land. The petition also mentions that the Metro company was sent written notices several times requesting information about construction-related maps, approvals, and acquisition, but no satisfactory response was provided. According to advocate Ansar-ul-Haq, under the Waqf Act, it is mandatory to follow legal procedures before using or acquiring any waqf property, which includes giving notice to the Waqf Board and obtaining its permission. He said that construction done without following these procedures is completely illegal and against the law. Demand for Intervention from Waqf Tribunal In both cases, a demand has been made to the Waqf Tribunal that metro construction work at the disputed sites be immediately stopped, illegal construction be removed, and directions be given to maintain the status quo of the waqf properties. At least let the dead rest in peace
Bhopal North Assembly constituency MLA Atif Aqeel has strongly opposed the metro project. He said that when it was clear from the beginning that there is a graveyard in the concerned area, then metro planning should not have been done there at all. Now if the plan has been made, then changing it and bringing the metro line from under the graveyard is not appropriate in any way. He questioned why the metro should be brought near or under the graveyard. Aqeel said that “we could not keep the living people happy, at least let the dead rest in peace.”