KTR writes to Centre, says reconsider decision on metro phase II project

Hyderabad: Telangana’s minister for municipal administration and urban development K.T. Rama Rao has written to the Union minister for housing and urban affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, asking him to reconsider the Centre’s decision for rejecting the proposal of the Hyderabad Metro phase II extension.

In his letter, KTR strongly objected to the decision of the BJP-led Central government, citing media reports that the Centre declined to approve the extension of metro from Lakdikapul to BHEL and Nagole to LB Nagar, stating that it was not feasible. He further stated that the government’s decision was discriminatory against Telangana, as many cities with less traffic had been sanctioned metro projects.

In its response to Telangana’s request for financial assistance for the Hyderabad metro phase II project, the Union ministry had said that the Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) and ridership were insufficient to justify a metro rail project at this juncture.

KTR strongly criticised the decision for rejecting the Hyderabad metro phase II extension proposal, calling it blatant discrimination against Telangana. “If the traffic of Hyderabad’s high-density corridors does not qualify for a Metro Rail project, I wonder how a number of small cities of UP like Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Agra, Prayag Raj, Meerut and cities located in some of their favoured states get qualified. This is nothing but pure discrimination and step-motherly treatment to Hyderabad and Telangana,” wrote KTR.

The minister pointed out that his multiple attempts to meet Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri to explain the importance of Hyderabad metro phase II went in vain. In the letter, KTR mentioned, “Given your professional background, I had hoped that you would ensure the fair and objective treatment to our infrastructure development proposals without any bias or prejudice.”

KTR expressed disappointment in his attempts to meet with the Union minister and urged him to examine the project proposal dispassionately and approve it on the merits of the DPR. “The state government is willing to clarify any doubts the Centre has on the project and requests an appointment with Union minister Puri,” he added.

Hyderabad Airport Express Metro Corridor

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao laid the foundation stone for the Hyderabad Airport Express Metro Corridor on 9 December, connecting the city’s IT hub at Mindspace Junction to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. The project, entirely owned by the state government, will span 31 km and cost Rs. 6,250 crores.

Hyderabad Airport Metro Express Corridor will take off from Raidurg Metro terminal station at Mindspace Junction, pass through Biodiversity Junction, Khajaguda road and touch Nanakramguda junction on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). There is a dedicated Metro Rail Right of Way (RoW) in the ORR and the Airport Express Metro Corridor will be taken to RGIA through this dedicated RoW of ORR.