Hyderabad metro project work to be expedited

With more than 90 per cent of the 71.6-km-long Hyderabad metro rail project right of way ready for implementation, the developers L&T are set to accelerate the project implementation, according to its Managing Director, Mr N.V.S. Reddy.Even land acquisition for the terminal station depots is being tackled. Already the land at Uppal has been acquired and handed over to the developer and part of the land also provided for AP Transco to set up a dedicated 220 kV sub-station for the metro rail project at Uppal junction.Speaking to presspersons during a tour of some of the facilities being set up by the developer, Mr Reddy said property acquisition along some of the busy road stretches is also being handled carefully by the Government. With a compensation of about Rs 45,000 per sq yard for the land acquired, most of the owners are coming forward. But the tenants and hawkers are posing problems.Mr Reddy said that in the phase one, it is proposed to take up two stretches. One is a 8-km-long track between Nagole and Mettuguda and another a 12 km-long route between Miyapur and Ameerpet. “We expect to complete this by 2014 end. And rest of the project is likely to be completed within five years,” he said.As a part of corporate social responsibility, a tree plantation drive of over one lakh saplings has been taken up engaging BITS Pilani.