Source: The New Indian Express July 11, 2014
HYDERABAD: With regard to traffic police permissions to speed up the Hyderabad metro rail works in different parts of the city with proper traffic management plans, a joint coordination meeting was held between commissioner of police M.Mahendar Reddy and HMR managing director NVS Reddy at the Hyderabad police commissionerate here on Thursday.
NVS Reddy informed the police commissioner on the uniqueness of Hyderabad Metro's financial model, challenges faced in its execution and the innovative technical solutions being adopted to minimise inconvenience to road users during construction.
He explained that once completed, the metro rail would not only ease the traffic congestion in the city but would also catapult Hyderabad into the league of global cities with its features like integration among different modes of transport, dedicated feeder buses, pedestrian facilities, bicycle stations and quality public space at stations.
Highlighting the need for police clearance for more work fronts to speed up the project, he discussed with senior police officers the details of different metro work areas.
While appreciating the issues raised by the metro rail chief, the police commissioner advised senior traffic police officers to give work permissions at as many places as possible for optimal utilisation of machinery and manpower mobilised by the concessionaire, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd.
At the same time, he requested NVS Reddy to ensure that metro works were taken up in a phased manner and move forward stretch by stretch so as not to hamper traffic movement. He also sought immediate road restoration and repairs where metro works have been completed.
After identifying various stretches where metro works can be permitted, it was agreed that traffic police permissions would be granted for about 90 pier (pillar) foundations at various places immediately and for another 160 piers thereafter.
Mahendar Reddy also requested HMR to improve junctions, provide well designed signages,signals and create U-turns and pedestrian crossings in the stretches where metro viaduct construction was completed, duly taking inputs from the traffic police. HMR agreed to the request.
Metro Woes
■ Metro works should be taken up in a phased manner so as not to hamper traffic movement
■ Police also requested HMR to improve junctions, provide signages, signals and create U-turns and pedestrian crossings