People are confused as to what is happening with the Metro rail in Hyderabad. The PM recently has participated in the Kochi metro launch and traveled in the train. Our IT Minister K Taraka Rama Rao is very eager to launch the Metro here in Hyderabad and also to invite the PM Modi for the launch. But the reality is that we do not know what is the real situation and when it is going to start.
Bengaluru and Kochi kickstarted their metro rail service bringing in an alternative mode of transport to the citizens. This leaves Hyderabad Citizens pondering on the actual date of launching the operations.
Two stretches on corridor three and one have passed through all clearances, however other two are believed to be ready for commencement of operations by the end of 2017.
At Nagole and Mettuguda or Miyapur and SR Nagar the metro works are in full swing with work going on day and night to meet the deadlines. However, work in other areas needs to be stepped up.
After announcing various dates, KT Rama Rao, Minister of municipal administration, has chosen to remain silent over the launch dates. He actually wanted the Metro people to do it at the fastest possible. But no one knows when this is going to happen.
The deadline was July 15, however it seems that it will not ride the citizens any sooner as another 66 km route will easily take a year more. The immediate goal is to finish off the works till Begumpet rail crossings.Earlier the CS used to get the brief over the works and then he used to review and the media was given the information. But now nothing is happening.
While metros in other cities are government funded projects, Hyderabad metro is based on public private partnership.
On the other hand the state government has asked Hyderabad Metro Rail to start services on one stretch by June. June 2 on the Telangana state formation day, and the government is keen that the project gets going so that people can see tangible benefits.
HMR sources said the stretch from SR Nagar to Miyapur was ready and the safety clearance certificate had been obtained. In March, HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy stated that this stretch would be operational in June. But nothing happened so far.
Reddy said, “Starting services on that stretch will help us understand the travel pattern of people. Various studies have shown the people’s inclination towards travelling by the Metro Rail. This stretch will have maximum traffic and the last mile connectivity is being put in place.”
The Nagole to Mettuguda stretch is ready for operation but starting of services will not be feasible till the Secunderabad rail over bridge section is complete.
“Apart from ROBs, works near Iskon temple have just started; connecting that stretch will take time. The stretch from Nagole to Begumpet will be operational before December.” the official stated.
But so far nothing happened and it looks like KTR must summon the Metro people and give them his opinion on the way the works should happen.
