The stage is set for the inauguration of the first phase of Hyderabad Metro Rail by the month-end, the State government has asserted, adding that negotiations are on with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) over funding of the MMTS phase-II.
Municipal Administration Minister K.T. Rama Rao said the Hyderabad Metro Rail project has created a record with its inaugural phase of over 30 km as compared to other States in India where the first part of operations spanned much lesser distances. The State had sanctioned ₹3,000 crore for the project, of which ₹2,240 crore has been spent so far. The Centre released ₹958 crore out of the assured ₹1,458 crore viability gap funding for the project.
The State government was committed to complete works on two other corridors proposed as part of the project by next year-end, the Minister told the Assembly during the Question Hour. On the MMTS phase-II, Mr. Rama Rao said the Centre had asked the State to explore prospects of making the project externally aided so that 60 per cent of funds could be mobilised through international agencies while the State and the Centre would contribute 20 per cent each to the remaining cost.
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“We are in negotiations with JICA in this direction,” he said. The Minister said the MMTS phase-II was under implementation over 84.4 km covering four corridors, including a stretch between Secunderabad and Ghatkesar. It would be extended to Raigir in phase-III with the station being renamed as Yadadri.
BJP walkout
BJP members, who raised the question about the progress of metro works, however, staged a walkout in protest of the “secrecy” being maintained in the cost overruns relating to the project as also the expert committee report on the proposed changes in its alignment that delayed works in the Old City.
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BJP member K. Laxman criticised the Government for not tabling the details of the expert panel’s recommendations on the change in alignment in the House while the details of the proposed resurvey had also been kept as secret. There was no clarity on the course that would be adopted in relation to the project works in Old City, he said suspecting that the “Government appears to be under political pressure from some quarters against works in Old City”.
Mr. Rama Rao, however, said though the government had initially contemplated changes in alignment, the idea was shelved as alternative routes explored were not found viable. The Government was in receipt of communication from L&T over cost overruns because of various reasons, but no decision had been taken to concede requests of the executing agency.