Metro Rail operations will begin in 3 months: KTR Hyderabad, March 13 (INN): Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister K. Tarakarama Rao on Sunday claimed that nearly 75% of Metro Rail works have been completed and the operations would begin within two-three months.
Replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Mallu Bhatti Vikarmarka and other MLAs during Question Hour in Legislative Assembly, the minister denied reports of State Government making several changes in the alignments in the construction of the Metro Rail and against continuing with the old design and alignment. He said dismissed the reports of delay causing additional burden on the government. He said that the Metro Rail project was progressing as per the original agreement that was made in 2010 and financial closure was at Rs. 14,132 Crore.
The minister said although the original agreement was signed in 2010, actual works began after formation of Telangana in June 2014. He said the works on Miyapur, Uppal and LB Nagar Depots have been completed. He said of 2800 pillars, nearly 2,000 have been erected. He informed the House nearly 2,000 legal cases were fought for acquisition of land and other reasons. He said that Hyderabad Metro Rail was bigger in size compared to Mumbai and Bengaluru. He also informed that the Chief Secretary was reviewing the progress of Metro Rail works at least once in 15 days to ensure its timely completion.
KCR said of 269 acres land acquired for the project, 212 acres were government land. He said as per original agreement, the ticket price was proposed at Rs. 9 to Rs. 18. However, now the cost is likely to be around Rs. 13 to Rs. 25. He assured to convene a meeting with all legislators of Hyderabad to discuss the issues like alignment in Old City and other related issues. He said that the State Government would complete the project at any cost.
Raising supplementary questions, Bhatti accused the TRS Government of deliberately delaying the project. He said works near Assembly and Sultan Bazar could not be initiated for almost eight months due to objections raised by TRS Government. He said that the TRS Government was trying to take entire credit for project. He demanded an all-party meeting for a detailed discussion on the project.
MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi alleged that the L&T authorities were trying to give a wrong impression that Hyderabad Metro Rail project was not profitable. Giving a breaking-up of estimated revenue, he said that claimed that the L&T would make a profit of over Rs. 50,000 crore during the lease period. Stating that there was a huge scam in the Metro Rail project, he demanded a thorough probe.
News Posted: 13 March, 2016
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