Title - Metro sluggish in Cantonment

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro Rail authorities are finding the going tough in Secunderabad Cantonment. While work on the project is progressing at a brisk pace in the city, not a single pillar has been laid in the Cantonment limits so far.The HMR requires nearly 3 acres of land belonging to the Cantonment Board, defence estate office and the Army from Jubilee bus station to Ganesh temple. Though the defence authorities agreed to give the land, providing right of way to metro rail, they wanted an equivalent amount of land (around 3 acres) in Secunderabad.Even as the government is in the process of identifying about 25 acres of land near Vikarabad or some other place close to defence establishments, the metro rail authorities have been given another jolt by the Cantonment authorities.The Cantonment officials have refused to take up the job of shifting the streetlights from central medians to provide right of way for the Metro Rail. It may be mentioned that HMR has stated that it will bear the entire expenditure involved in shifting of the streetlights and installation of new ones on either side of the road.However, Cantonment authorities are in no mood to take up the job. “If Metro Rail officials want right of way, let them do the streetlight shifting by engaging their own staff and labour. “However, the Cantonment officials will monitor and supervise the shifting and re-installation of the streetlights project,” a senior official in Cantonment said.

It may be mentioned that in other parts of the city, the streetlights located in the central medians (road divider) are being shifted on either side of the road to make way for HMR by GHMC. The expenditure for shifting of streetlights is being borne by the metro rail authorities.

When contacted, HMR managing director N.V.S Reddy said there was absolutely no problem with the Cantonment and defence authorities.

“Shifting of streetlights is a small issue which will be settled amicably. Even the alternative land (in lieu of 3 acres) is in the final stages of being identified,” he added.