Speakers who participated at an open forum against the elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail project on Sunday expressed fear that the Rs 10,000-crore project turn into a real estate development scheme. Eminent architect from New Delhi, Mr Kuldip Singh, said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was acquiring land across the city and handing it over to the Delhi metro rail. The BOT developers will construct commercial complexes and malls at the metro railway stations to raise revenue. "I have doubts the same policy will be followed in Hyderabad,' he added. MLC Mr K. Nageshwar, who also spoke on the occasion, said the metro rail will pass through three main corridors of the city blocking heritage precincts including the Assembly building. "The government did not give detailed project reports to the MPs, MLCs or MLAs. It is pushing through the project without conducting a public hearing or holding a debate on it,' he added. The former director of CCMB, Mr P.M. Bhargava, and the scientist, Mr Chandana Chakravarthy, said the Begumpet airport experience should not be forgotten. "The government signed a contract with GMR international airport authorities. No one knew that the Begumpet airport will not be allowed for commercial operations once the new airport is inaugurated. Such mistakes should not be allowed to occur in the Hyderabad metro rail project,' Mr Bhargava said. He demanded that the government conduct a public hearing on the issue. Mr C. Ramachandraiah of the Citizens for a Better Public Transport, the organisers of the forum, said campaign against the metro rail will continue till the government discusses the finer points of the project. "There are better alternatives of public transportation suitable for Hyderabad compared to metro Rail,' he said.