South Central Railway (SCR), despite financial constraints, is planning to complete at least two key stretches constituting the ₹817-crore MMTS Phase-II later this year as in double track lining of 13 km Falaknuma-Umdanagar and the 12.2 km Moula Ali-Ghatkesar sections.
It has also scheduled completing 19-km Sanatnagar-Moula Ali section too by March next year provided it manages to get permission from the defence authorities and get the necessary rolling stock. Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy has even offered to intervene and get the requisite clearances.
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the nodal railway agency undertaking the work, has already completed and commissioned the 5.34-km Ramachandrapuram-Tellapur line earlier this year. Two local trains in the mornings and nights are being run currently on the stretch. It has provided railway authorities the option to move more trains away from the main stations through this section.
All the works have already been completed in 14.95 km Medchal-Bolarum section with the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) clearing the line including speed tests and also permitting commissioning for commercial operations. But, there is no clear indication as yet if these newly completed stretches will be opened for commercial operations in light of continuing dialogue with the State government on share of funds disbursal, disclosed senior officials seeking anonymity.
The 84-km MMTS Phase-II entails (Moulali-Ghatkesar, Moulali – Sanathnagar – Tellapur – Ramachandrapuram, Medchal – Bolarum – Secunderabad and Falaknuma – Umdanagar – Shamshabad Airport). SCR states that the State government owes about ₹450 crore towards its share of the project whereas it had spent ₹580 crore already, more than its one-third share.
With regard to Ghatkesar – Raigir (Yadadri) extension of MMTS Phase-II to an extent of 33 km, the SCR has a revised estimate of ₹412 crore for the project for which the consent has been obtained from the State government.
It has also assured to pick up two-thirds of the total cost but since the funds has not come, the tenders called have been cancelled, informed senior officials.
Meanwhile, the Suburban Train and Bus Travellers Association has requested the railway authorities to run MMTS trains between Bolarum-Secunderabad as it has been a long-pending demand of passengers.
In case there was any issue of taking the local trains up to Medchal, they could be run up to Malkajgiri, pointed out Noor, general secretary of the association.
He also appealed for more trains to be halted at Malkajgiri like Rayalaseema, Sampark Kranthi and Devagiri Expresses since 20 express trains pass through but only 10 halt here.
Moreover, it would be helpful in decongesting the Secunderabad-Kacheguda stations.
