Centre approves Rs 26000 Cr Outer Ring Rail project for Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is all set to become India’s first city to have Outer Ring Rail (ORR). The project will be built parallel to the Regional Ring Road (RRR) on the outskirts of the city.

"The Centre had sanctioned Rs 13.95 Crore for taking up final location surveys to set up the Outer Ring Rail project. The project would be taken up at a cost of Rs 26,000 crore," Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy told media in New Delhi,

The 563.5 km project will include 536 km Outer Ring Rail as well as bypass-cum rail-over-rail at Akkanapet, Yadadri, Chityal, Burugala, Vikarabad, and Gate Vanampalli.

About 99 percent of the preparations regarding the route map were completed. Fifty percent of the cost of land acquisition for this project would be borne by the Centre.

As a part of the project, junctions would be established in areas connecting Vijayawada, Guntur, Warangal, Nizamabad, Medak, Mumbai, and Vikarabad railway lines. People taking these routes can exit near the Outer Ring Road without going into the city and go to their respective destinations by road or rail.

"This will bring significant benefits to the business as well as the transport sector. It will be of great benefit to the people of Hyderabad and surrounding districts," he said.

The Union minister said that the Centre will also take up the expansion of the second phase of the MMTS between Ghatkesar and Rayagiri.

"Despite the State Government showing its reluctance, not sanctioning funds for the project even after eight years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the Union Minister for Railways Ashwin Vaishnaw to expedite the MMTS second phase expansion at an estimated cost of Rs 330 crore. The expansion will be completed only with railway funds," said the Union Minister.