KCR adamant on Metro alignment change HYDERABAD: With the government insisting that the L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd (LTMRHL) to change the alignment of the project at two locations near heritage sites, the Hyderabad Metro Rail is carrying out a detailed survey for examining various options and is likely to submit a report to the government shortly.
Finance minister Etela Rajender it clear that the government change the alignment of the HMR even if it costs Rs 500 crore or more. Speaking to newsmen, Rajender said the state government had decided to bring a change in the alignment in order to protect heritage structures and keep the culture of Hyderabad in tact.
'The government will not bother even if the project is delayed by three-four months and is even ready to spend Rs 500 crore if necessary. The culture and heritage of the city are important,' the finance minister said.
HMR managing director NVS Reddy said 38 per cent of works on the project was completed and the first rail will chug out between Nagole and Mettuguda by Ugadi.
'The entire project belongs to the Telangana government and the Centre has no role to play in it,' Rajender said and added that as the central government will only review the works occasionally as it had sanctioned funds for the project.
Menawhile, official sources said the survey was at its peak and a detailed report will be submitted to the government. A final call on the issue will be taken by the state government.
As per the suggestions of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, metro rail engineers and other officials are carrying out a detailed survey to study various alternatives and cost aspects to change the alignment at Sultan Bazaar and other heritage sites, said HMR officials.
They made it clear that it was for the Telangana government to take a final call on the issue and no one else will bear the additional financial burden going to be incurred for the change in alignment.
The chief minister, during the Assembly session last month, had clearly said that the elevated rail will have to taken underground at the Legislative Assembly-MJ Market corridor and had also suggested change in alignment at the Badi Chowdi-Sultan Bazaar area to protect the historical market which is more than a century old.
Traders of Sultan Bazaar, since the past two years, have been fighting to divert the rail from the busy shopping area as it would have left thousands of traders jobless.
Changes in the project at this juncture will delay execution and significant cost escalation since underground construction is very expensivce, officials said.
Trouble for the Rs 20,000-crore project has cropped up at a time when engines and bogies, manufactured in South Korea, have started reaching the city. The move comes just weeks ahead of L&T's plans to conduct a trial run along an 8-km stretch.
NECESSARY 'EVIL'?
38 per cent of works complete
Cost to escalate more as underground rail sought
KCR announced change in alignment at Assembly & Sultan Bazaar
Move comes at time when engines and bogies being delivered
Just a few weeks to go for L&T's planned trial run
Execution delays have already shot up project cost
News Posted: 28 July, 2014
|