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The Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, which is now developing a 72-km-long elevated metro rail network across three dense city corridors, expects to commission a segment of 11 km by the middle of this year, and another stretch of about 18 km later during the year.
Of the three corridors under construction, the concessionaire L&T is expected to complete two corridors before the end of this year and the entire project by June 2018, according to NVS Reddy, Managing Director of HMRL.
Work delay The elevated section was scheduled to be completed by June 2017. However, because of right of way issues and mass litigation, the work lagged in places where property and land acquisition were involved.
The HMRL MD said a project of such a magnitude had not been attempted in the public-private partnership mode. In spite of various challenges, the work has now reached a critical phase.
Most of the work in now being handled at higher levels, including metro stations and complicated rail over-bridges in some of the busiest zones near railways stations and at intersections.
“The alignment of the line that goes through the Old City is to be sorted out,” Reddy said.
Taking through some of the works now under way near a yard close to Secunderabad railway station, Reddy said the metro works where the lines cross over the rail work are being executed in coordination with the Railways. Of the eight rail over-bridges, work on a couple of them is on.
Outlining the project progress, Reddy said foundation for 62-km stretch has been laid and pillars have been constructed over 60-km stretch, viaduct placed on 51 km and 35 of 66 stations have thus far been completed.
While it would have been possible to commission two segments of the metro project in the first phase itself, it was decided to commission one section later this year and follow this up with a longer stretch of 18 km during the end of the year.
“We expect work on two corridors to be ready in all respects by December 2017 and all of 66 km by June 2018,” he said.
Cost escalation Asked about cost escalation, he said the concession agreement has various provisions related to delays and cost escalation and accordingly it would be handled.
Describing the rail over-bridges as an engineering marvel, Reddy said work on most of the ROBs has gathered pace and they are at advanced stages of completion.
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