While everyone is upbeat about the impending launch of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project later this year, the work on its relatively ‘poorer cousin’ — Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) Phase Two — has run into a danger zone.
Entire construction work could come to a grinding halt if the Telangana government does not release its share of working capital anytime soon. While the Railways — South Central Railway (SCR) — claims to have spent about ₹445 crore till date, the State’s share has been ₹60 crore released three years ago!
Senior railway officials pleading anonymity have confirmed that they had received communication from the Railway Board (RB) to halt works forthwith if the funds are not coming from the State government. “We have been able to execute work with the available funds and if we don’t get pending funds of up to ₹200 crore as per the two-third’s share, it will be difficult to complete the project on time,” they aver.
Tenders floated
The situation could also jeopardise the railway line extension to Yadadri or constructing a third line where the State government has been spending crores of rupees to develop the famous temple of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy there.
“Tenders were floated two days ago after survey work was done. It will cost ₹410 crore for 31 km from Ghatkesar and will take three years to complete if work begins in summer next year. Though Railway Board has allocated ₹20 crore, it may not be keen to take it up in the current scenario,” fear senior railway officials.
To compound matters, the local defence authorities are yet to give their consent for building a four kilometre stretch passing through its land between Sanatnagar – Moula Ali despite several meetings.
Stretches complete
Otherwise, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has done track laying for the Phase Two (101.50 km) works which began three years ago. The 14 km Bolarum-Medchal and 5.75 km Telapur-Ramachandrapuram sections are to be opened first with one scheduled in December this year and other sections by next year end.
Construction is also happening between 18 km Moula Ali – Ghatkesar (doubling to four railway lines), Bolarum-Medchal, 14 km Secunderabad-Bolarum and 14 km Falaknuma-Umadanagar (doubling)
Cost over-run
Railway officials apprehend that anymore delays whether in form of funds or delayed permissions could only spike the costs and citizens would be deprived of the vital public transport from the suburbs. Already, the total cost has been revised to ₹816 crore from ₹650 crore over the years.
