The L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) has urged the government to ensure speedy clearances in the right of way like shift of utilities and pipelines so that construction can be taken into the heart of Hyderabad soon.
“If we are to speed up the work we need continuous support from the government. We are currently pouring 500 cubic metres of concrete a day and this has to be scaled to 1,500 cubic metres to complete the project in five years. We cannot do the work at this pace and need faster clearances,” said Project Director M.P. Naidu.
He was addressing a gathering after the Minister for Municipal Administration, M. Maheedhar Reddy, inaugurated the automatic steel cutting and bending plant. The Minister in turn assured him that the government will extend all possible support for the project which was necessary to mitigate the traffic scenario of the capital.
The plant equipped with computer operated machines can handle 3,500 tons of steel roads a month or 120 tons a day for cutting and bending with high accuracy and at good speed.
“Any delay in the project implementation will impact the entire State,” he acknowledged and alluded to the problems being faced by Bangalore and Chennai metros on shifting of statues and other issues. However, he also pointed out that the initial fears and apprehensions about the project seem to have abated here with the government too being liberal with compensation to people losing their properties.
‘Engineering challenge’
Stating that the project was an “engineering challenge”, Mr. Reddy had no doubt that all sections of the society would benefit once the metro rail was commissioned. HMR Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy said 322 foundations, 175 piers and 760 pre-cast segments have been completed so far. About two lakh tonnes of steel would be needed for pillars, viaduct, depots and stations.
