RailEnquiry

HYDERABAD: Even as tenders are being finalised for the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) Phase II, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is in a dilemma over releasing funds for the Rs 642 crore-project.The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which has been given the task of executing the work, has sought Rs 60 crore as the state government's share for the project in the current financial year. However, the GHMC has released only Rs 10 crore, which may not take the project much further. South Central Railway (SCR) officials are reportedly unhappy with the lukewarm response from the state government over release of funds.The MMTS Phase II works are being taken up jointly by the railways and GHMC at a cost of Rs 642 crore. The project would be completed in three years. The state government (GHMC) would bear 66% (2/3rd) of the project cost, while the remaining would be borne by the railways. The project has been entrusted to RVNL, which has conducted a detailed survey of the available land and required for new railway lines, stations and workshops.RVNL had issued a notification a couple of months ago inviting tenders for the project package worth Rs 360 crore. The Phase-II works would be carried out in two stages. In stage I, work worth Rs 317 crore would be taken up, including track doubling between Falaknuma-RGIA (20 km), electrification between Falaknuma and Umdanagar, doubling and electrification between Secunderabad-Bolarum (14 km) and track restoration between Tellapur-Patancheru (9 km). In stage II, doubling and electrification on the stretches between Moula Ali-Malkajgiri-Sitaphalmandi (10 km), Bolarum-Medchal (14 km) and Sanatnagar-Moula Ali would be taken up. Other works like quadrupling tracks and electrification between Moula Ali and Ghatkesar (14 km) and restoration and electrification on the Tellapur-Patancheru stretch would also be taken up. Another Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for passenger amenities and Rs 85 crore for rakes (MMTS coaches).

Later, it has been decided to put on hold Umdanagar-Shamshabad airport connectivity covering a distance of 11 kms due to land acquisition and other issues.

For speeding up works, the Union railway ministry has already released Rs 30 crore. When RVNL officials approached the GHMC for its share, the corporation released only Rs 10 crore a couple of days ago. "Since there are no funds, the corporation is planning to release funds in a phased manner. This year, RVNL is targeting to complete at least Rs 100 crore worth works. We sought a copy of the ministry of railways' release of funds. Along with the copy, the corporation would write to the state government for release of balance funds," GHMC additional chief city planner (T&T) V Narender Rao told TOI.

RVNL is hopeful of getting funds from the state government before ground works begin. "Tenders are under finalisation to identify the project developer. It may take three months to start ground works as approvals, designing, planning and land acquisition have to be completed," RVNL chief project manager P Srinivas told TOI.