L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited today commissioned a 16 km stretch of elevated metro, thereby completing one full stretch of the three corridor metro network.

With the commissioning of the stretch between Ameerpet and LB Nagar, the Hyderabad metro now has operational network of 45 km, making it the second longest metro line after New Delhi. Earlier, in November 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commissioned a 29 km network across two corridors.

Flagging off the metro train and travelling in the rail, ESL Narasimhan, Governor of Telangana, called upon people to move away from personal transport and take to environment friendly metro rail network.

Later, he bicycled from Khairatabad station to Raj Bhavan along with KT Rama Rao, State Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development.

Narasimhan said, “I have travelled in many metros around the world and Hyderabad metro is one of the best. I hope that Hyderabadis will make full use of this world class facility and this will help make it a world class city.”

While the Governor called upon the concessionaire L&T to complete the stretch connecting Hitec City, the IT hub of Hyderabad by December 15, some right of way issues may delay the completion of this stretch by about couple of months, sources explained.

Cost hike

The Rs 14,132 crore Hyderabad metro rail, which is being developed under the public, private partnership (PPP) model, with the Centre pitching in with a viability gap funding (VGF) of Rs 1458 crore and the Telangana State Government investing about Rs 3000 crore for development of land acquisition and related infrastructure and right of way.

Following delays in right of way, the project cost is projected to shoot up by over Rs 3000 crore, which the concessionaire and the Government would have to sort out. Of the 72 km elevated metro rail across three dense corridors, two corridors will be fully completed by early next year. And the third corridor between Secunderabad and Old City, is likely to be delayed further, as a stretch of about 6 km that runs in the Old City beyond the Musi river is likely to be delayed, as it still faces right of way issues.

The Minister said “This was not just another metro in the making but a rejuvenation project for the world class city. While it has already received Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council, once its gets fully commissioned, it will transform the public transport network in the city.”

NVS Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, said, “Hyderabad metro is the second largest metro network after Delhi and the world's longest metro network under the PPP mode projects. It is a robust mass transit system which is being used to transform the city into a people friendly green city.”

KVB Reddy, MD and CEO of L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited, said, “The metro marks the beginning of seamless commuting in Hyderabad. The inauguration of the 16 km stretch is another significant milestone in our endeavour.”

Related Topics