Source: The Hindu Business Line Aug 1, 2014
KT Rama Rao flags off one-year rail tech post-graduate programme
The Telangana Government on Friday said it was committed to expedite the Hyderabad Metro Rail project.
KT Rama Rao, State Minister for IT, said the Government was keen to complete the project as per schedule and provide necessary support. However, he said, there were a few issues that need to be sorted out with regard to metro project and expressed confidence in implementing the project as per plans.
He said with Hyderabad projected to grow to a mega metropolis over the next 20 years, the State might have to draw up plans to increase the network from the current 72 km to 250 km to meet the needs of the growing population.
Speaking at the launch of the first batch of post-graduate course in metro and rail technology by the Institute of Metro and Rail Technology (IMRT), he said, "Hyderabad will be developed as an investment destination in various sectors including IT, science, pharma, films, sports etc."
He said the State was exploring the option of a Light Rail Transport System for Hyderabad.
NVS Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, said the Telangana Government now owns the ₹14,132-crore project, which is supported by a viability gap funding of ₹1,458 crore from the Central Government, working out to about 10 per cent of the project cost.
A Central Project Monitoring Group is monitoring all projects with investments of over ₹1,000 crore and this project is part of that. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has suggested the metro project could consider the alignment change at two places where historical sites are located at Assembly and Sultan Bazaar.
"We are now in the process of conducting feasibility study to see if this could be done by realigning the project, with minimum expenditure. So far no decision has been taken on realignment," Reddy explained. "Based on the technical feasibility, if there are changes, the concessionaire L&T will be compensated. The changes are likely to be minimal," he said.
About 40 per cent of the project work has been completed and 4,300 crore spent. By March 2015, stage one will be operational, he said. IMRT commenced its first batch of one-year specialised post graduate programme.
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