Hyderabad Metro Rail 2nd Phase: When work will actually start on ground?

Hyderabad: The Phase II layout of Hyderabad Metro has received preliminary approval from Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy. Now the exercise is going on to prepare DPR or detailed project report. Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) sources say that when DPR will be prepared then only exact construction cost will be arrived. Officials say that the exact estimated cost is likely to be revealed in the detailed project report only. It is learnt that DPRs already ready for two metro, 5.5 km from MGBS to Falaknuma and 5 km from Nagol to LB Nagar. The remaining 59.5 km. routes DPR has to be prepared.

At the end of last year, Hyderabad Metro Rail revised the estimates in the DPR for Metro Phase-2. The State Govt already shared details to center for 31 km proposed metro stretch. It is estimated that the construction of the track will cost Rs.9,100 crore, means up to Rs.293 crores per kilometer. As per calculations, the construction of 70 km road will cost more than Rs.20 thousand crores. However, metro sources feel that as all the new lines are in the suburbs, there are no major land acquisition issues except for one or two lines, so the cost per kilometer will be low. Accordingly, it is estimated to be up to Rs.17,500 crore. As soon as the DPR of the new routes comes, the state government will ask the center to submit it for approval and provide financial support. CM Revanth Reddy, who has already met the Union Urban Development Minister, discussed the proposals for metro expansion.

According to current estimates, up to Rs.3,500 crore will be spent annually to complete the metro expansion project in five years. To this extent, the work will start only if funds are allocated in the budget. The first year will consist of DPR design, land acquisition and other preliminary works. Huge allocations have to be made from the second year onwards. Sources of Metro say that there is a possibility of looking into aspects like raising loans from JICA and other international organizations for this purpose. If the center funds 20 percent, then the state provides 20 percent, and the remaining 60 percent can be borrowed.