The Telangana CM has allegedly issued directions to the L&T authorities to stop work on the Chaderghat-Khairatabad stretch which he wants to be taken underground.
The prestigious Hyderabad Metro Rail is all set to be delayed following the directions of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to take the project partially underground.
According to sources, KCR has issued oral directions to the L&T authorities to stop the work on the Chaderghat-Khairatabad stretch, which he wants taken underground instead of happening on an elevated corridor.
However, this could not be confirmed from any official sources. But sources in L&T said that they were waiting for an official communication from the Telangana government regarding KCR's proposal.
Sources in L&T also said that KCR's proposal was not practical due to technical reasons. Besides, it would escalate the cost by over Rs 2,000 crores, and the entire project would be delayed by at least 5 years.
The Chaderghat-Khairatabad stretch is of about 8 kms, and the HMR authorities would need to install nearly 30 pillars per kilometre for the project. So far, nearly 60 pillars have already been installed on the stretch at a cost of over Rs 50-60 lakhs per pillar. If the project went underground, the demolition of these pillars would cost nearly Rs 1 crore per pillar.
To take the metro rail underground, the HMR authorities would have to dig the entire stretch. The depth would be nearly 30-35 metres at the stations and 30-40 metres near the railway tracks. It would also require an area having a radius of 4-5 acres at the starting point of digging.
Therefore, the digging of an underground route for the metro rail would be time consuming and a costly affair, L&T sources said. Further, the entire stretch of 8kms would have to be closed down to carry out the digging.
Therefore, the proposal to make the HMR partially underground might delay the entire project. HMR and L&T authorities have written a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department seeking clarification on the views expressed by the Chief Minister. However, they are still waiting for a reply. (INN)
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