One of the questions on top of citizens’ minds these days about the Hyderabad Metro Rail project is – will there be sufficient space for parking near the metro stations across the three corridors? From the beginning it was made clear that there is “sufficient space for parking and circulating area at 23 of the 66 metro stations” coming up.
What about the rest? The TS Government and the metro rail authorities are now focussing on ensuring there is adequate parking space at the stations. It also happened that during the intensive properties survey, subsequent demolitions and road widening in the last couple of years, the metro rail authorities have stumbled upon Government sites at several places.
While the metro rail authorities have been mulling on utilising them for additional parking spaces, Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma has advised the municipal administration and urban development special chief secretary M.G. Gopal to consider feasibility of developing multi-level parking facility at some of these sites.
At the special task force meeting here on Tuesday which he had presided, Dr. Sharma also called for a better traffic management plan after discussing with the GHMC and traffic police of both Hyderabad and Cyberabad.
“We have identified Government properties at many stations and we have been asked to consider building multi-level parking complexes,” said HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy.
Multi-level parking complexes can be built by either HMR through the public, private partnership mode; by the GHMC or as a joint project. “Who will build these parking is yet to be decided. We are also getting queries from private landholders offering their sites,” said Mr. Reddy.
‘40 properties yet to be acquired’The Chief Secretary, while noting that 40 more properties have to be acquired for road widening across the metro rail corridors, directed Collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts to complete the acquisition process on priority keeping in view the traffic movement. Cheque disbursement for 27 properties is to be done soon.
Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy requested for expediting work on the metro rail stations, piers construction, shifting of utilities and restoration of dug up roads by the L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad to ease traffic flow. The task force was informed about where the project work could be accelerated.
Dr. Sharma pointed out that Hyderabad Metro Rail project had even drawn the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent PRAGATI meeting (video conference) held to review the progress of iconic projects across the country. Hence, he advised HMR and L&TMRH to complete the project as per schedule. Several department heads were present.
