The long wait has finally come to an end. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has cleared connectivity for MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) Phase-II from Umdanagar to Shamshabad. As a next step, the land for track alignment and construction of the station has been identified near the Kurnool Highway approach road to the airport.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which is taking up MMTS Phase-II, had invited tenders for the project without the Umdanagar-Shamshabad section early this year.
RVNL invited tenders in three separate packages for work to the tune of Rs. 389 crore, while the total project cost is estimated at Rs. 819 crore. MMTS Phase-II work includes quadrupling of tracks for sections between Ghatkesar and Moula Ali and patch-doubling between Moula Ali and Sitaphalmandi. RVNL has finalised Balfour Beatty-Kalindee Nirman joint venture for taking up the work. Rail connectivity project for the 6.5-km distance between the airport and Umdanagar station was estimated at Rs. 30 crore a couple of years ago. Of the total length, nearly 2.5 km is through the airport land, which is under GMR.
Following the clearance, RVNL conducted a feasibility study from the Umdanagar end. The authorities found it feasible to take up the project at the identified spot, and a final approval meeting will be held involving RVNL, South Central Railway (SCR), State government and the airport authorities next month. Once approved, tenders will be called for the project, which is expected to cost Rs. 50 crore, said P. Srinivas, Chief Project Manager, RVNL.
This apart, MMTS commuters can look forward to a hassle-free journey, as the SCR authorities are planning to increase the number of car rakes in MMTS services. In view of the demand for more services, efforts are on to make the existing nine-car-rake MMTS service to 12-car-rake service, said SCR General Manager P.K. Srivastava.
“Already, a requisition has been sent to the Railway Board for increasing the number of rakes. Though it is a tough task, we would stress for the board’s approval,” Mr. Srivastava added.
