L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), the concessionaire that builds the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project, on Friday announced that the rails sourced from Tata Steel (France) would be laid within a month on the first stretch - Nagole to Mettuguda.
“So far, citizens have been witnessing pier construction and laying of viaduct, but soon we will be taking the work to a new level, which involves laying of tracks, signalling and telecommunications work. We are planning to run the first train on March 23, 2015,” said L&TMRH Managing Director and CEO V.B. Gadgil.
Speaking to reporters, he said the rails would be welded together and fixed to the concrete beam without using the traditional ballast so that comfort for the traveller would be more. “We are trying to complete the civil work first before taking the next step in a coordinated manner. About 10 launch girders to form the viaduct are ready in different locations,” he said.
Parapet walls are also being built alongside the twin tracks on the viaduct, but the train will be visible from the window level while in motion. Several special features form part of the track work, and they include putting up ‘check rails’, which will help to minimise wear and tear of the main rail, besides preventing derailment on sharp curves.
Another feature is the use of computer-based track master (introduced by L&T for the Chennai Metro). This is for checking rail parameters to enhance the quality of track installation. A simulation study-based track design, being done for the first time, also helps to design tracks for a particular speed on a specific stretch, Mr. Gadgil explained.
“We are committed to the project and are leaving no stone unturned to make the most valuable Metro in the world,” he affirmed. L&TMRH has spent Rs. 750 crore till date and has been holding talks with an infrastructure firm, IIFCL, to borrow Rs. 1,000 crore, he added.
Citizens told to share photos
L&TMRH has also undertaken an impact assessment study covering 300 randomly chosen citizens across three corridors for every kilometre and a catchment area of 3 km. Citizens have also been asked to share photos of the city (past and present), which will be later put up in the proposed Metro Museum at Uppal. Branded goods of the Metro Rail to be kept as souvenirs are also available on www.realshoppee.com.
Metro rail car prototype
A prototype of the Metro Rail car is expected to arrive in the city by September end, and it will be put up for display at the site near People’s Plaza on Necklace Road. After a month, it will be shifted to the Uppal depot.
