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L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited today reiterated that the first phase of the metro rail project will be commissioned as per schedule by March 2015.
The work on the mega project that seeks to develop an elevated metro project transport network along three dense corridors spanning 72 km is progressing as per plans in spite of the agitation for separate statehood. So far, L&T (the concessionaire) and Government of Andhra Pradesh have invested about Rs 4,000 crore in the project being developed under public-private partnership mode, V.B.Gadgil, Chief Executive and Managing Director of the L&T Metro project, said.
Addressing a press conference to update on the status of the project, N.V.S.Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, said that the construction work is going on as per plans, the first phase of 8 km will be ready by December 2014 and commissioned by March 2015 during Ugadi.
He said various issues relating to land acquisition are being addressed and expressed confidence that these would be sorted out when the right-of-way for the project is required.
Allaying concerns expressed by some politicians, certain sections of civil society and social activists, they said that land required for the Rs 16,375-crore project at the terminal points of about 204 acres and most of the properties required for transit-oriented development have been acquired.
However, with regard to about 22 acres of Government and other properties, efforts are underway to acquire them, Reddy said.
Refuting recent statements and allegations made by Telangana Rashtra Samithi about corruption and wrong doings in the project, Gadgil said, “L&T as a leading construction company takes pride in execution of such projects and maintains highest levels of integrity. Project was tendered and L&T won amidst stiff global competition quoting least viability gap fund.”
Answering another query on possible impact of creation of separate state of Telangana, they said that Hyderabad is amongst the fastest growing metropolitan cities with quality infrastructure and continues to attract people and investors. Whether it is part of a unified State or becomes part of a new State, its strengths are unlikely to be impacted. “The project progress will also not be impacted,” they assured.
>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in
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