tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36838799842239793442024-03-07T09:04:21.869+05:30Citizen Groups on Hyderabad Metro RailWe are a group of civil society activists and researchers who are concerned about public transportation in Hyderabad. We want a mass rapid transit system that includes the buses, trains (MMTS/Metro), sidewalks and cycle paths. But the proposed elevated metro will not meet these objectives.Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-74819956737976108262016-06-17T13:10:00.000+05:302016-06-17T13:10:38.330+05:30Metro thru Sultan Bazaar - A failed promise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: left;">Metro thru Sultan Bazaar (Hyderabad) - A failed promise. Exactly five years back (17June 2011), KCR addressing a public meeting in Sultan Bazaar warning of bloodshed if the metro dares to enter this heritage bazaar. Four years later, protesting traders pleading KCR to keep his promise (14Dec2015). Today's morning photos of metro construction - Sultan Bazaar resembles a ravaged street.</span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-38783825734169066942015-10-28T15:48:00.002+05:302015-10-28T15:48:28.941+05:30Will Shri KCR keep his promise on Sultan Bazaar or not?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will KCR keep his promise or dump them? If Sultan Bazaar is
lost, a part of the history and soul of Hyderabad will be lost. It depends on
KCR now. The bustling Sultan Bazaar and a section of Kothi observed bandh
yesterday against the metro corridor-2 which will pass thru the bazar and raze
many shops. In early 2011 Sultan Bazar, Badi Chawdi and Putlibouli markets
observed bandhs and undertook protest actions several times. It was such a
fierce resistance that, till today, the metro authorities dared not enter the
area to conduct even soil tests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On 17 June 2011, KCR addressed a public meeting in Sultan
Bazar and warned of bloodshed if the market is touched. After becoming the CM
of Telangana, he promised on the floor of the Assembly (I don't remember the
date) that the metro would be diverted and will not touch Sultan Bazaar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several months have passed and now the L&T metro
authorities have started visiting the area and making markings for pillars. The
traders sensed the danger and observed a bandh yesterday reiterating their
earlier demand. They also reminded Shri KCR to keep his word. However, one sad
difference this time is that the Badi Chawdi did not participate in the bandh
as differences cropped up between the traders of the two bazaars.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-77144449531095191202015-09-03T12:15:00.000+05:302015-09-03T12:15:33.058+05:30Centre denies Metro Rail to Vijayawada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">Mr. Sreedharan's name has been used by several govts to forcibly thrust metro projects on cities. Vijayawada and Vizag are the latest victims. One is saved now. The Urban Devt ministry made scathing remarks on the DPRs prepared by him. The Social & Envi. Impact report for Hyderabad prepared by DMRC is third rate. We said it before. Read this item in Metro India.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://metroindia.com/cities/article/26/08/2015/centre-denies-metro-rail-project-in-vijayawada/12761</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The following news item is from Deccan Chronicle, 26 August 2015, Vijayawada edition </span></span><br />
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-85138447312324996062015-07-28T10:42:00.000+05:302015-07-28T10:42:41.922+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">నిజంగా అయితే "మాట తప్పిన మెట్రో" అని కాప్షన్ వుండాలి. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Hyd Metro Rail wants to default now. HMR entered into an MoU with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH), GoI to build 11 flyovers parallel to the elevated metro on the 29-km corridor-1 (Miyapur-LB Nagar) on National Highway-9. It was signed on 18th October 2011. Timeline was to complete those flyovers in 4 years i.e., by October 2015. Works have not even been started. We argued then that construction of these flyovers will cause more damage the city. We even addressed a press meet. When the metro is brought in as a solution to traffic, why flyovers again? Can the existing roads provide sufficient space to build those flyovers parallel to the elevated metro corridor? Now, MORTH asked HMR to deposit Rs.300 cr to build those flyovers. HMR doesn't want to do it. The news item given below in Eenadu Telugu daily (24 July 2015) says that the HMR has changed its mind. If so, why did it sign the agreement with MORTH?</span><br />
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-61385893520131592382014-09-17T16:20:00.000+05:302014-09-17T16:20:06.763+05:30L&T's letter to Govt for Project Takeover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This can’t be a routine letter. The 8-page letter is provided below with each page an image. I managed to get from a friend in the media.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Subject: Hyderabad Metro Rail: Project Takeover Proposal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The letter by L&T Metro’s MD, Mr. Gadgil, to the MD of HMR is dated 10<sup>th</sup> September 2014. It runs into 8 pages. In the letter, Gadgil cites 7 letters of correspondence between L&T, HMR and Chief Minister of erstwhile AP between 6 February to 15 July 2014. He raises two main issues in the letter. 1. Delay in providing Right of Way (ROW) for faster execution of works as per the Concession Agreement. Providing ROW is the obligation of the Govt of AP/T. 2. He raises the changed circumstances in the status of Hyderabad due to division of AP and its adverse impact on the financial viability of the metro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In point 16, it is argued that “Prior to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad was the capital city of a state which was well developed, espousing various eminent districts and port towns. However, now it is the capital city of a smaller state with lesser resources than the undivided Andhra Pradesh……Further, there is reduction in the strength of representation of the State in the Parliament. Thus, the position of Hyderabad in drawing investments, both the Central Government and private sector has altered. Consequently, the potential returns from its real estate will get reduced…The change in the status of Hyderabad has resulted in a significant change in the economic and political outlook of Hyderabad, thereby causing material adverse impact on the financial viability of the Project”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">L&T did not think that AP will be divided. In point 22, he mentions that various agitations have been made, without any success, for creation of Telangana. So, we could not anticipate the bifurcation of AP till the AP Reorganisation Bill was introduced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">L&T seems to have hoped that the GHMC will be made a UT. In point 23(iii) he mentions that the creation of Greater Hyderabad in 2007 was viewed “as a precursor to converting the city into a Union Territory, if the state was split”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In point 24, he states …”<b>it would be most appropriate that the GoT should take over the Project and the underlying contract from the Concessionaire</b>. The GoT should do so by restituting the Concessionaire in a manner whereby the Concessionaire’s property and entitlements are returned to it”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">If the L&T continues with this project it has to explain how it will become financially viable hereafter.</span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-8189759988794242312014-09-17T15:22:00.001+05:302014-09-17T15:23:33.692+05:30L&T wants the Metro to be taken by the Govt of Telangana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">L&T giving up on Hyderabad Metro? It will be sensation. This came too sooner than expected. L&T is known to have written to the Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (which represents govt of Telangana) that they can't proceed with this project, and asked the govt to take over it. Today's top headline in Andhra Jyothy paper. L&T seems to have repeatedly mentioned about non-provision of Right of Way due to which there is significant cost escalation, and bifurcation of the state. It feels that there is reduced prospects for financial viability of the metro in Hyderabad. It looks like that L&T believed that the state will not be divided, or Hyderabad will be an UT or a joint capital in a proper sense. My comment is quoted in the second picture given below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrEB1AYrXK0ZD_w-FnZqRGV_10AjbrRgHgTGW0kWZrzRrfQtfSPTe_ldK7Mugz2KEaBCFejGjxzDGchnbdJxgJurRXk3Y5xJ0TfcClv4FL_lsPh75L5CUvy5Pbxpey3L_EDqGNeu2Bp8/s1600/L&T+to+give+up-2-AJ-17_09_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrEB1AYrXK0ZD_w-FnZqRGV_10AjbrRgHgTGW0kWZrzRrfQtfSPTe_ldK7Mugz2KEaBCFejGjxzDGchnbdJxgJurRXk3Y5xJ0TfcClv4FL_lsPh75L5CUvy5Pbxpey3L_EDqGNeu2Bp8/s1600/L&T+to+give+up-2-AJ-17_09_2014.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-11025865200206261012014-07-02T12:44:00.003+05:302014-07-02T12:44:59.084+05:30Secunderabad Clock Tower getting dwarfed by Metro pillars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The famous Clock Tower in Secunderabad getting dwarfed by the pillars of the metro. It is a heritage structure. You can see the Clock Tower in the distance (Click on the photos for a better view). Tall pillars (more or less equal in height to the Tower) will be constructed close to the Tower which poses threat to the stability of the structure itself. Sultan Bazaar also lies in this corridor. Better to scrap this corridor-2 as the MMTS local train runs from Secunderabad to Falaknuma which can be strengthened easily.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u0iDNbyON50DKPAD7YS4d1Gjrx3DC1Jn9WhgUnhsDvxo38qkvQhgBHXmjZw6sA5_NAJNZBA2-h4uVDD0SgoHEgAvRBFk0oF9aV92pari_IjIHUKfW-BczJ3OCa-tuBe6CzlIQv-mnjc/s1600/DSCN3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u0iDNbyON50DKPAD7YS4d1Gjrx3DC1Jn9WhgUnhsDvxo38qkvQhgBHXmjZw6sA5_NAJNZBA2-h4uVDD0SgoHEgAvRBFk0oF9aV92pari_IjIHUKfW-BczJ3OCa-tuBe6CzlIQv-mnjc/s1600/DSCN3088.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-6936022204404384162014-07-02T12:36:00.001+05:302014-07-02T12:36:38.030+05:30KCR talks tough - Metro must change alignments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are very glad that the Telangana Chief Minister, Shri KCR, has talked tough to the metro officials that the corridor cannot go overhead in front of the Assembly, and also thru Sultan Bazaar. We demand scrapping of the corridor-2 which goes thru Sultan Bazaar. We have given sufficient reasons to scrap this one. How L&T feels is no indication of the investor confidence in the TRS government which is a false bogey raised by some sections. Show L&T its place if it doesn't follow the govt's directive. (In the photo: Front page news item today in Andhrajyothy: 2 July, 2014).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nj95Qb7vZ_c6LKfbA5oeTEFraqvrBIqtufFEZP1djKdLLkZ6KlQCxG0FzEGh_XP5cBfMBqmujEinCL5i0E1nso8Vb_TcwSmELG57co_RYJ7cdAtNUsxnQEb-Oi1llLyUcseK8ZTMOls/s1600/KCR-Talks+tough+on+metro-AJ-2July14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nj95Qb7vZ_c6LKfbA5oeTEFraqvrBIqtufFEZP1djKdLLkZ6KlQCxG0FzEGh_XP5cBfMBqmujEinCL5i0E1nso8Vb_TcwSmELG57co_RYJ7cdAtNUsxnQEb-Oi1llLyUcseK8ZTMOls/s1600/KCR-Talks+tough+on+metro-AJ-2July14.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-5907737042240453662014-06-14T13:38:00.000+05:302014-06-15T22:45:32.012+05:30KCR for Metro to go Underground at Assembly and Realignment at Sultan Bazaar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: TE; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; padding: 0in;">K Chandrashekhar Rao for realignment of metro rail<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: TE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TNN | Jun 14, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/K-Chandrashekhar-Rao-for-realignment-of-metro-rail/articleshow/36509872.cms">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/K-Chandrashekhar-Rao-for-realignment-of-metro-rail/articleshow/36509872.cms</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">HYDERABAD: Telangana chief
minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has all but stopped the Hyderabad Metro Rail
project in its tracks. KCR made it clear in the Assembly on Friday that the
metro rail would have to go underground near the Assembly and other heritage
structures as well as near Sultan Bazaar.</span><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background: white;">"There is no question of allowing the Hyderabad
Metro Rail alignment going overhead in front of the Assembly building. It must
go underground as in the case of the Bangalore metro project near the Vidhan
Soudha," the CM told the House while replying to the debate on the motion
of thanks to the governor's address to the joint session of Assembly and
council.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">If the CM has his way, the Hyderabad Metro Rail
Limited and Larsen & Toubro, the builder and operator of the project, will
have to change the alignment, a move that could not only delay the project but
also escalate the cost.</span> <span style="background: white;">The heritage
buildings and Sultan Bazaar come in the way of corridor 2 of the project than
runs from Falaknuma to Jubilee Bus Station. While works on the other corridors
are progressing fast, the authorities have not been able to take up
construction on corridor 2 owing to protests from the traders of Sultan Bazaar,
who would have to give up space in the existing alignment.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Even as the chief minister's stand came as a
breather for the traders, KCR was not clear about how his government would make
the L&T change the alignment. The concessioner agreement for the project
imposes a force majeure clause, according to which the government has to pay
monetary compensation to L&T if it seeks any change in the project.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as the chief
minister's stand came as a breather for the traders, KCR was not clear about
how his government would make the L&T change the alignment. The
concessioner agreement for the project imposes a force majeure clause,
according to which the government has to pay monetary compensation to L&T
if it seeks any change in the project.</span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-19793808624481230922014-06-09T16:59:00.001+05:302014-06-09T16:59:57.245+05:30Scrap Corridor-2; Sack Metro MD - Press Release<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxrrEvjNOED0N3ZWbkpFeTY0NlE/edit" target="_blank">Scrap Corridor-2; Sack Metro MD - Press Release</a></div>
Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-9609366099809968112014-05-04T00:06:00.000+05:302014-05-04T00:06:01.545+05:30AAP demands scrapping of Metro Corridor-2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt;">AAP is the only party in Telangana (or AP) that has taken a clear position on the </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hyderabad Metro
Rail (HMR). AAP's Telangana manifesto has promised to scrap the corridor-2 and termed it the least useful corridor. The relevant portion of the manifesto is reproduced below:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">AAP considers this as land and real estate project. AAP demands
transparency and compliance with the Concession Agreement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">- All important documents of the HMR will be made
available in the website of the HMR.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Full compliance with the RTI Act.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">- The land allocations to real estate of the L&T
beyond the Concession Agreement will be reviewed and the concerned officers/departments
will be held accountable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Modifying the Concession Agreement through
Government Orders will not be allowed.</span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Corridor II (JBS to Falaknuma) should be scrapped.</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">This is the
least useful corridor and also it will wipe out the heritage area of Sultan
Bazaar apart from demolishing thousands of properties.AAP government will scrap
this corridor.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The bus transport and MMTS network will be
strengthened The MMTS phase II will be completed on a priority basis to
strengthen the public transport in the city and improve connectivity to the
suburban areas.</span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-55641524553770515802014-04-24T22:33:00.000+05:302014-04-24T22:33:59.194+05:30Truck falls into metro pit, kills 2 workers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Truck plunges into metro rail pit, kills 2</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Times of India, Hyderabad, 18 April 2014</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hyderabad: Two L&T metro rail workers
died and a driver suffered injuries on Thursday when a ready-mix truck fell
into a trench dug for the construction of a pier (pillar) at Nalgonda X
Roads.<br />
The mishap occurred at 3.20 am when the ready-mix
concrete truck (AP 16 TD 4445) coming from Dachepally crashed through the
barriers and fell into a pit dug for construction of the metro rail pillar.
Four workers were inside the pit and the vehicle directly fell on two of
them. Both workers — Mumtaz Ansari, 23, and Babul Yadav, 19, hailing from
Jharkhand — died on the spot. Two other workers in the pit escaped unhurt. Just
minutes before the incident, six of the 10 workers in the pit had climbed out
to get a drink of water. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUlrWxJveA5I12kzoHKBbSZtqLbSrcmENigi8Vb0oZVT9m6HfA-OHPsyuxYH_SUhxjUVdbwILnP6xkh5uC0ckt48P76VSVSo5bxc7990z9gv4SfnoEzdHLzYcCRR9u8cACc6HRjCaKzo/s1600/Truck+falls-2+die-18April2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUlrWxJveA5I12kzoHKBbSZtqLbSrcmENigi8Vb0oZVT9m6HfA-OHPsyuxYH_SUhxjUVdbwILnP6xkh5uC0ckt48P76VSVSo5bxc7990z9gv4SfnoEzdHLzYcCRR9u8cACc6HRjCaKzo/s1600/Truck+falls-2+die-18April2014.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Truck driver Komaraiah from Mahbubnagar, who also suffered
injuries, was admitted to the Osmania General Hospital. His condition is said
to be out of danger. </span></div>
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Though the accident occurred at 3.20 am, it took more
than eight hours for the police to pull out the bodies from the spot. Police
initially requisitioned five small cranes to pull out the truck from the pit,
but could not lift the heavy truck. Finally, a 180-tonne heavy crane was
brought to the spot and at 11.45 am, the truck was pulled out from the pit and
the bodies recovered.<br />
Due to the accident, traffic on the busy
Chaderghat-Malakpet route moved at a snail’s pace till afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-24350937611005940682014-01-26T17:53:00.001+05:302014-01-26T17:53:23.728+05:30Half of Iskcon temple to be razed by Hyderabad Metro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #3b3a39; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After showing sheer arrogance and utter disregard to the
historic heritage buildings of Hyderabad city, the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR)
authorities appear to be adamant on demolishing at least half of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), Secunderabad temple (Near Sangeet
theatre) on Corridor-3. HMR proposes to acquire 1,600 square yards of land of
the 100-year old temple. HMR now says 900 sq.yrd only will be affected. The
temple complex will get totally ruined and lose all the charm of a cultural
place with the metro pillars inside its complex and the gigantic corridor
viaduct going right over the temple.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3b3a39; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Iskcon temple officials and devotees have
protested against the arbitrary nature of the HMR and its arrogance. They have
proposed an alternative in consultation with railway engineers. They stressed
that this alternative “</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">was designed by a panel consisting of top railway (SCR) engineers, headed
by the chief engineer himself. There were 10 members in the panel”. In the
picture given below, the shaded rectangular area is the temple premises, the red lines are the existing proposal of the HMR and the
yellow lines are the proposed alternative by Iskcon as per the advise of the
railway engineers. By following the alternative, there will be no difference to
the demolition of other buildings and, more importantly, the temple will be
saved.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSCB2i-qcybrdonI6DHyJUEjBvGCslWW0l_8fiGTV0_hdjXx8v3mnYgU1f5AjGQkHicWHTspTGzWAF6kvDizoHqXd2We7XTMFd8e_g0gH2zTA3AIcHUpm3y5zUOqy1B8-y0hotCVMTIs/s1600/ISCKON+curve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSCB2i-qcybrdonI6DHyJUEjBvGCslWW0l_8fiGTV0_hdjXx8v3mnYgU1f5AjGQkHicWHTspTGzWAF6kvDizoHqXd2We7XTMFd8e_g0gH2zTA3AIcHUpm3y5zUOqy1B8-y0hotCVMTIs/s1600/ISCKON+curve.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our View: </span></u></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The present controversy is due to the total lack of transparency
and public consultation on the routes of the HMR in the city. Such
controversies arose at several places – Sultan Bazaar-Badi Chawdi-Koti,
Ameerpet-Yousufguda-Krishnanagar, Regimental Bazaar, Nampally etc. The HMR and
GHMC authorities have displayed utter lack of sensitivity and more of
arrogance. They appear to be eager to serve the private interests of the
L&T than the public cause. Already the Govt of AP has given more lands,
worth hundreds of crores, to L&T than what are specified in the Concession
Agreement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The alternative curve proposed by the Iskcon
with the advise of the railway engineers should be followed by the HMR. If they
claim that the curve is not conducive for the trains to negotiate, we would
like to remind them that </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">from Greenlands
to JHills Checkpost, there are at least seven L-shared curves.</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Till now the
HMR and L&T have not disclosed to the public about the designs of the metro
at these curves. Therefore, the HMR’s claims cannot be trusted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We extend our support to the Iskcon temple
authorities in their fight to save the temple.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The following weblinks
(developed by the Iskcon officials) gives the details of the existing and
proposed curves:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is the link wherein they explain what
would happen if they dont take ISKCON temple land. This is a completely bogus
alternative. Railway engineers had a good laugh. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.hydmetrorailexposed.com/their-alternative.html" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.hydmetrorailexposed.com/their-alternative.html</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Here is what we are proposing:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.hydmetrorailexposed.com/our-alternative.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.hydmetrorailexposed.com/our-alternative.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You would find all information here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-----------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-28697455870588407102014-01-22T16:26:00.000+05:302014-01-22T16:26:47.233+05:30FIR against L&T by the NHAI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<o:p> An </o:p>FIR has been filed against the L&T Metro, which is constructing
Hyderabad metro rail (HMR), in Sanathnagar police station (Hyderabad). L&T
and HMR have been behaving as law unto themselves. Their highhanded attitude
over other departments in the govt has been a talking point for sometime in the
official circles. Now the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has filed
this FIR. L&T has been recklessly violating the existing rules and
practices in road widening and road laying, and taking up the metro works along
the highways (Eenadu, 22 Jan, Hyd city edition). He is the link to the news item: http://eenadu.net/district/inner.aspx?dsname=Hyderabad&info=hyd-panel1 </div>
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It is not a small issue that a central govt agency files an
FIR against L&T. People who are travelling along the metro construction
routes have been experiencing nightmares in traffic jams, spoiled roads, lack of traffic police to guide etc. At most of the spots where the soil test were done, badly laid and rough patches have been left out creating a serious nuisance and a hazard for the vehicles. And, in Hyderabad, nobody questions the metro people. Because
it is big project.</div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-83729736238367456352014-01-01T18:05:00.000+05:302014-01-01T18:05:54.588+05:30Happy New Year 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear all,</div>
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I wish all the social activist a very Happy and Successful New Year. Hope our struggles bear fruit in strengthening democracy and accountability in governance. The victory of AAP in Delhi and its forthcoming expansion all over India provide immense hope in this direction. I, on my part at Hyderabad, will continue to expose the Hyderabad's elevated metro rail project. I will be continuously seeking the support of the fellow activists in the city and elsewhere in this purpose.</div>
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With best regards,</div>
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Dr. C. Ramachandraiah</div>
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The two photos below were taken when a group of geography students visited Hyderabad in December 2013 as part of their study tour. They were already aware of our campaign on this project and also this blog. I gave them first a presentation in my Centre, clarified all kinds of doubts, and later took them on a field visit to Sultan Bazaar which is a heritage area. See some posts on this blog to know their fight against the metro project. The students were surprised to see how vibrant the bazaar was and were wondering how can any civilised government demolish such a bazaar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCyP0JPoNIkQF8U2x40pk97bgnz3xhaTgzKaHs3oqaReHx52-Cq1wXADUsS66CwQC7n_Hqd0G5JKGoIxWELkgaJ9NM1QmCPXoRnyNQmL9_-2SqoenYqjxhEsGbvjva7hBs8_iIQe3FMM/s1600/DSCN2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCyP0JPoNIkQF8U2x40pk97bgnz3xhaTgzKaHs3oqaReHx52-Cq1wXADUsS66CwQC7n_Hqd0G5JKGoIxWELkgaJ9NM1QmCPXoRnyNQmL9_-2SqoenYqjxhEsGbvjva7hBs8_iIQe3FMM/s320/DSCN2670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEaXM4gY74oRdcXgNoGI_HiJRtnlZExgr47ITcGyYVJDlcZnaQw9ACIz-QzeIwrG4Q8IMxkbog4rEyJGOuzADoFd4ngnjqZY1e92aRxbSZLsfwD-UTscnYRBbpAHd4OJtn0_Yj6ETcwY/s1600/DSCN2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEaXM4gY74oRdcXgNoGI_HiJRtnlZExgr47ITcGyYVJDlcZnaQw9ACIz-QzeIwrG4Q8IMxkbog4rEyJGOuzADoFd4ngnjqZY1e92aRxbSZLsfwD-UTscnYRBbpAHd4OJtn0_Yj6ETcwY/s320/DSCN2677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-68868907151272667602013-12-13T16:34:00.001+05:302013-12-13T16:34:24.722+05:30Hyderabad metro breaks Manjira water pipeline <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The following news item refers to the breaking of a 1000 mm diametre main pipeline carrying drinking water to Hyderabad city by the metro construction near Moosapet. For several hours the water gushed out and flooded the area.At the time it was broken by the drilling, there was an estimated flow of 3000 cubic metres per hour. Due to this break down, water supply has been stopped today in several localities (Eenadu, 13 Dec, 2013).<br />
(It may be recalled that the L&T company, which bagged the metro contract, has been conducting soil tests for the last three years along the metro corridors. This incident proves how inefficient the L&T has been in undertaking the works in a scientific manner.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP1GE0uneFFkZCaAfSkVvAlb_8PrVOWat2E8sJ-Mv8Bt__YYI7cHJAikebB6RTU-FON5HORcEAfnco43wbm3ESSDhJ2gLt-hXKZQBbKKc5RCq_daPAyRucBbpp50oBf6qrC-jAktOJ8U/s1600/Metro+breaks+water+pipeline-13Dec13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP1GE0uneFFkZCaAfSkVvAlb_8PrVOWat2E8sJ-Mv8Bt__YYI7cHJAikebB6RTU-FON5HORcEAfnco43wbm3ESSDhJ2gLt-hXKZQBbKKc5RCq_daPAyRucBbpp50oBf6qrC-jAktOJ8U/s400/Metro+breaks+water+pipeline-13Dec13.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-9743012209788129602013-11-22T15:18:00.001+05:302013-11-22T15:18:28.300+05:30Who will pay the loans of Delhi Airport Line metro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Who will repay loans for
Delhi airport Metro, Reliance or DMRC?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;">Author(s): </span></b><span style="color: #0054a6; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.downtoearth.org.in/author/1586" style="font-size: 7pt;">Anupam
Chakravartty</a><span style="font-size: 20px;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;">Date:Nov 20, 2013</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/who-will-repay-loans-delhi-airport-metro-reliance-or-dmrc">http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/who-will-repay-loans-delhi-airport-metro-reliance-or-dmrc</a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13.75pt;"><i>A</i> consortium of banks led by Axis Bank and India Infrastructure Finance Company
(IIFC) has slapped legal notices on Delhi Airport Metro Express Line (DAMEL), a
private-public partnership between Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and
Reliance-Infra, for non-payment of bank loans. The project has turned into a
non-performing asset. This comes as a double blow for DAMEL, which is already
engaged in a legal dispute between DMRC and Reliance-Infra.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">DAMEL
carries a little over 10,000 commuters between Shivaji Stadium and Dwarka, and
halts at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to help commuters avoid
traffic. But DAMEL now has nobody to take responsibility for its liabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">According
to DMRC, which is now operating the airport Metro line, the 54:46 partnership
between Reliance-Infra and DMRC failed to pay interest for the loans from the
consortium of banks since March 2013. Delhi Airport Metro Express Private
Limited (DAMEPL) borrowed Rs 1,800 crore from Axis Bank-led consortium and Rs
350 crore from UK-based IIFC after the company bagged the contract in 2009.
DMRC spokesperson issued a statement that liability to pay interest for the
loan rests with DAMEPL even though Reliance Infra has invoked the termination
clause to the agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">On
the other hand, Reliance-Infra issued a statement that its concessionaire
DAMEPL “has terminated the Concession Agreement through termination notice
dated October 8, 2012, owing to DMRC’s Event of Default.” It further
stated that DMRC has already taken over the entire project with effect from
July 1, this year with all existing contracts, employees from DAMEPL. Since
July 1, DMRC has been collecting all the revenues while the arbitration
proceedings are going on under Railway Board.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Earlier
this year, the Comptroller Auditor General of India had pointed out that
Reliance-Infra has diluted its stake in the concessionaire, a charge strongly
refuted by Reliance Infra (see</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/profitable-exit" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">‘Profitable Exit’</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">).
Since 2012, DAMEL operations came to standstill until January 2013 when
Reliance-Infra pointed out some serious structural defects in the Metro line
owing to which DAMEL trains had to slow down. While DMRC claims the faults were
repaired, Reliance-Infra wanted to back out of the project citing losses.</span></div>
</div>
Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-67532878664646362982013-11-08T17:47:00.000+05:302013-11-08T17:47:41.882+05:30Lies and half-truths of Metro MDs on Land Robbery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">Citizens
for a Better Public Transport in Hyderabad</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(A coalition
of civil society organizations and individuals)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: right;">8 November 2013.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Press Release<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hyderabad
Metro Rail Project</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We Refute the Lies of NVS Reddy & VB
Gadgil on Land Robbery</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It appeared in the media today that the MDs of HMR and L&T Metro, Mr. NVS Reddy and V.B
Gadgil are reported to have said that they have not taken an inch of excess
land for the metro, and in fact there is still a shortfall of 22 acres or so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
would like to reiterate that they have already taken 71 acres of excess lands
which are not mentioned in the Concession Agreement. We challenge them to
disclose the full details and put up the same in their websites. We are
prepared for a public debate on this. This is nothing but a daylight robbery of
precious public lands worth thousands of crores of rupees. We are talking about
the land details listed in pages 179-80 of the Agreement and not about the
lands meant for depots and maintenance at Nagole, Miyapur and Falaknuma. They
are trying to hoodwink the people by covering up these issues, and only talk
about the completing of the Nagole-Mettuguda stretch etc. etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">NVS Reddy says that those who have
been making allegations in the last five years have not proved anything. In
fact it is the other way round. All allegations made by us have been proved.
The fact that NVS Reddy refuses to appear on a common platform with us for a
debate itself is a proof of our correctness in this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> We would
like remind NVS Reddy and the public that the Order of Justice L. Narasimha
Reddy of AP High Court in March 2012 justifies our position that there is no
transparency in this project. We quote from the Order: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“The effort of the
HMR appears to be, to shield or immunise itself from any plausible
objections, and unfortunately<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the
State, in its anxiety to spread a red-carpet to a private agency, has chosen to
violate and break the law, enacted by itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“there is a serious lacunae in the very launching of
the project, under the A.P. Tramways Act; though it is almost a full-fledged
railway.”…”it is totally impermissible to establish a ‘Railway’, in name,
structure and purport, under A.P. Tramways Act.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Metro Rail was granted on earlier
occasion in favour of an agency, in a similar clandestine manner, keeping the
entire project away from public scrutiny.” <span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Acceptance of the
contention of the respondents would lead to disastrous consequences.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>A scheme, which involves transfer of
vast extents of Government land, acquisition of large number of private
properties, dislocation of the road transport system for a considerable time,
conferring of the largesse of a high magnitude upon a private agency, cannot take
place without reference to any public opinion.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> We would like to question the two MDs how
they are going to provide parking and circulation for stations in those places where
Osmania University refused to part with lands? How are the passengers in those
areas going to benefit with the lands given at Raidurg?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
Why should the public ask for every small information through RTI which NVS
Reddy is suggesting? This itself shows the high-handed attitude of the metro
MD. On one hand, they are claiming this project to be the most advanced
technologically but, on the other hand, they don’t want to put the important
details like Concession Agreement, DPRs, land allocations and station designs
on their websites. This itself shows how dubious their claims and methods are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.
They are only talking about the lands of Old Gandhi Hospital and at Raidurg as
compensation for the OU lands. This is only a half-truth. What about the 2
acres of land of Water Board at Yousufguda, 8 acres at Erramanjil, 10.25 acres
of GHMC lands/properties, 17 acres of HMDA, and small amounts of lands at a few
other places. <u>These are not part of the Agreement. If not land robbery, what
else is it</u>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
The MDs are claiming that the project design was finalized in the pre-bidding
stage itself, hence it cannot go underground at this stage near heritage
buildings. If so, we would like to question them why they are not sticking to
pre-bid design and are changing the alignment of Line 2 towards Old Gandhi
Hospital and extending the Line 3from Shilparamam to Raidurg? Nearly 25 acres
of lands are taken at these two places only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That means, the two MDs have no problems with pre-bid
designs and are willing to make changes to grab prime lands but will not do so
to protect the historic heritage precincts. If not hypocrisy and malicious
intentions, what else is it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
We would like to appeal to Shri KCR and TRS party that if they are serious
about protecting the heritage of the city, they need not wait for the metro to
be completed and then demolish it. If they are sincere about their claims, they
should demolish the piers NOW in front of the Public Garderns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If the two MDs are serious about
establishing the transparency in the dealings of this project, we demand that
they put up in their websites all the details regarding –</span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Concession Agreement,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Detailed Project Reports,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lands promised in the Agreement and
lands allocated along with the location and extent, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Complete designs of all the metro
stations along the three corridors (this project is known to have got the best
design award globally but the designs for several crucial metro stations are
not even ready), <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Complete designs of the intersections
of the Corridors with one another at three places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If there is transparency and honesty in the affairs of
the project there is no need to indulge in publicity gimmicks by organizing
competitions in the name of “pick a click”, “Brand Ambassadors”, metro coach
exhibition etc. to hoodwink the public
especially the youth and students. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We would like to advise the so-called “brand ambassadors”
to read the Concession Agreement and understand it before competing in these
events. Otherwise, they would be spreading only lies and become pawns in the
hands of the metro authorities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This is an externally shining project like “<i>medi pandu</i>” but, if opened, a lot of
muck will come out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sd/-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Dr.
C. Ramachandraiah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, Social Scientist, Convenor, Citizens
for Better Public Transportation <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in Hyderabad
(Mobile: 94400 35405).</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Mr.
S. Jeevan Kumar</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, State President, Human Rights Forum, Andhra
Pradesh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Mr.
B. Ramakrishna Raju</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, State Convenor, National Alliance of
Peoples Movements (NAPM), A.P.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mr
O.M. Debara</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, General Secretary, Forum for a Better
Hyderabad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-44695474876969904392013-11-05T11:16:00.002+05:302013-11-05T11:16:25.619+05:30TRS threatens demolition of Hyderabad Metro <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 17px; text-indent: -24px;">In the news clipping in Telugu given below (published in Andhra Jyothy today -5Nov13), TRS chief threatened to demolish the metro if it causes damage to the heritage areas. I wish TRS is serious about it. Given below in English the main demands of the KCR's letter to the CM of AP. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8AzUHjhpz4HAyWVL118Pl1KlRuGW0-ad8xF94B0CYgHN_VC-QH-58-S-fQk9TBZ-GVgU_T9HtU_MpNBJMLgJltkZmIJsP-tWObwD5ESAZs7Hjl25CjLQTxtuLpM0wzGWL-xXhyphenhyphenI5omw/s1600/Heritage-TRS+threatens+Metro-AJ-05_11_2013_005_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8AzUHjhpz4HAyWVL118Pl1KlRuGW0-ad8xF94B0CYgHN_VC-QH-58-S-fQk9TBZ-GVgU_T9HtU_MpNBJMLgJltkZmIJsP-tWObwD5ESAZs7Hjl25CjLQTxtuLpM0wzGWL-xXhyphenhyphenI5omw/s640/Heritage-TRS+threatens+Metro-AJ-05_11_2013_005_005.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In a letter addressed to the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (17 Aug 2011), president of TRS, K. Chandrasekhar Rao raised several issues relating to the elevated metro in Hyderabad. He demanded that the documents of the project be made available and be debated widely in an all-party meeting, civil society organisations and the experts. And regretted that no initiative was forthcoming from either the government of the metro authorities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;">The government did not respond to this letter. When the metro works were started the TRS too did not make any noise at all! That was a big disappointment to the activists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In the said letter he demanded that - (quoting from the letter) -</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Hence we request you to kindly-</b></span></div>
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<ul style="text-indent: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hold open discussions on DPR and Concessional Agreement and other relevant reports and change the contents of the agreement to protect the government land and overall interests of people in terms of regulating the tariff</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Change the alignment of corridor-2 to protect the historical monuments such as Sultan Bazar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Construct underground metro to protect the historical bazaars such as M.J. Market, Jambagh and Assembly, Gun Park etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Construct underground metros to avoid further traffic congestions at Punjagutta, Ameerpet, Begumpet etc.</span></li>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-54991684475731745562013-10-24T17:22:00.001+05:302013-10-24T17:22:20.729+05:30Stop the Land Robbery by L&T Metro in Hyderabad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91l02fIQbRXR3szIX9IL7m7DCiXhiuQSnQRwW0Xb0DrxM0EdTfGtlXkOsrCNGYhyD6E_oXItz1VP0rKm6WVv2qUYe_4-0zMVDB9PaFK4kyiWV8k70eyxXGMLJl1Prl-jeEnTstUzZ7bk/s1600/DSCN2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91l02fIQbRXR3szIX9IL7m7DCiXhiuQSnQRwW0Xb0DrxM0EdTfGtlXkOsrCNGYhyD6E_oXItz1VP0rKm6WVv2qUYe_4-0zMVDB9PaFK4kyiWV8k70eyxXGMLJl1Prl-jeEnTstUzZ7bk/s320/DSCN2599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Press Meet against the Land Robbery by L&T Metro in Hyderabad. Blatant violation of Concession Agreement. Already 71.39 acres of land allocated in excess of what is promised in the Agreement. Where will it end? Government of AP is taking aw</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">ay the land from other Department and handing over the same to L&T. This is a real estate project in the garb of public transportation. The following persons addressed the press today (24October13): Dr. C. Ramachandraiah, Social Scientist, S. Jeevan Kumar, State President, Human Rights Forum, A.P.; Mr. B. Ramakrishna Raju, State Convenor, NAPM, A.P. and O.M. Debara, General Secretary, Forum for a Better Hyderabad. Read our full Press Release under the Downloads on the Home page of this blog.<br /></span></div>
Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-78962199871478659072013-10-22T18:03:00.001+05:302013-10-22T18:05:44.148+05:30Traders on Corridor 2 protest against Metro route<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thoughtless and scandalous actions of the Hyderabad metro authorities are giving rise to new conflicts and tensions. Corridor 2 (from Jubilee bus station to Falaknuma) is the most useless route and is most destructive in the sense that many shops and buildings will be demolished on this route. The famous Sultan Bazaar is located on this route. In the present instance of the news item below, the route of Corridor 2 has been diverted towards the Old Gandhi Hospital which leads to demolition of many buildings including taking over of land of a church. The authorities are also eying on taking over about 10 acres of the hospital land for the L&T's real estate business. There is no any technical report or expert opinion for the diversion of this route.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ANHjZPjVfo8kdRuOPcNK9y7uqjU-uZhAQcagxMtHRhYy7GG8N4IsqBcB4En2ACpZ2tDZikFryV7MM6f-IYgWnp3ArgQ4InwWqsdLK5uMFvw8GGbuXv2LxJfutxQnxk_Brcrpqa48-o0/s1600/Rally+against+take+over+of+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ANHjZPjVfo8kdRuOPcNK9y7uqjU-uZhAQcagxMtHRhYy7GG8N4IsqBcB4En2ACpZ2tDZikFryV7MM6f-IYgWnp3ArgQ4InwWqsdLK5uMFvw8GGbuXv2LxJfutxQnxk_Brcrpqa48-o0/s400/Rally+against+take+over+of+Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qI6HgcSNZqwLZadMzlgNvcTEv0zmDzUSv4WBzAVgjGC8BQQ6DgPZHsWdNAmuDnohxRC6eNFnjsjlRHvkQDIeFVfufIMroUXvqASekRV36ghQBV8qeabfvtapxU-ddwTcNzb-NTplY8A/s1600/Rally+against+take+over+of+Church-Telugu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qI6HgcSNZqwLZadMzlgNvcTEv0zmDzUSv4WBzAVgjGC8BQQ6DgPZHsWdNAmuDnohxRC6eNFnjsjlRHvkQDIeFVfufIMroUXvqASekRV36ghQBV8qeabfvtapxU-ddwTcNzb-NTplY8A/s320/Rally+against+take+over+of+Church-Telugu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-38599791383035425932013-09-14T13:04:00.003+05:302013-09-14T13:04:58.094+05:30At heritage sites, the metro must go underground<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Hyderabad Metro must go underground at Heritage sites. Appeal by concerned activists/citizens from all over India published in Telugu in Andhrajyothy today.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0p9w6TLDZFLM5gz7GZw8XB4XlWBlvYkcGeLlj7uBT1IuLKHjyd7q8HtEgGd-tZhP0vv9bzsdH-PA8UJxuUbS4vXLu2fVZEzH5hrUroFCpx72chrUi3vd64BriX0PX9Yr9gVElzEryk4/s1600/Heritage-Appeal+to+metro+go+underground-AJ-14_09_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0p9w6TLDZFLM5gz7GZw8XB4XlWBlvYkcGeLlj7uBT1IuLKHjyd7q8HtEgGd-tZhP0vv9bzsdH-PA8UJxuUbS4vXLu2fVZEzH5hrUroFCpx72chrUi3vd64BriX0PX9Yr9gVElzEryk4/s320/Heritage-Appeal+to+metro+go+underground-AJ-14_09_2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-73580417683701084242013-08-28T11:52:00.000+05:302013-08-28T11:52:57.727+05:30Malls & Multiplexes of L&T Metro Rail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>CR’s comment:</b> Only
three malls now. More to follow. We have been saying this before. It’s like
building irrigation canals even before the dam work begins (eg. Polavaram under
YSR regime in AP). The very definition of Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) is “Rail
and Real Estate” as per the Concession Agreement. Already the govt of AP has allocated
nearly 70 acres more of land that what is promised in the Agreement. What more
you need?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Panjagutta is already
a congested junction by all means. It is also a heavy pedestrian area but there
are no footpaths. Now the L&T malls will further choke this area. Where is
the transport planning here? It’s all real estate, my dear friends! Metro rail
is only a mask. Pursuing this kind of development model led by contractors and
companies (thru our political parties – with no difference in Regions and
Ideologies) is what has pushed Andhra Pradesh into the present crisis (on
division, unified AP).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">L&T plans 3
malls-cum-multiplexes along metro rail corridors in city</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Koride Mahesh| TOI, 28 Aug 2013<b>, </b>Hyderabad.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">-----------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Times view: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Khairatabad to Ameerpet Road is already chock-a-block with
multiplexes and shopping malls and adding more new ones will only add to the
chaotic scenes prevailing in the streets. Plans to construct malls and
multiplexes in the areas mentioned are also illogical, as there are several
screens within a few kilometres, especially in Punjagutta. Instead of spending
crores of rupees on multiplexes, authorities should invest more on traffic
management by building flyovers and sidewalks for pedestrians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">--------------------------<br />
Hyderabad: Even before the metro rail tracks are put in place, project
developer Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has started moves to commercially exploit
parcels of land allotted to it along the three metro corridors. The
project developer has proposed to construct malls with multiplexes at
Punjagutta, Erramanzil and Madhapur. The L&T has applied for
provisional no objection certificate (NOC) from the state disaster response and
fire services department recently. Once the NOCs are obtained, the construction
giant might seek building permission from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal
Corporation (GHMC).<br />
Official sources said a mall, including a multiplex and office space, is being
planned on 70,127 square metres land, where government quarters were demolished
near Srinagar junction on the arterial Punjagutta-Ameerpet road. The land
was handed over to the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) last year. At
Punjagutta, the mall and multiplex would come up in one block, which would
have three basements, ground and five upper floors.<br />
<b>L&T plans to build hotels, malls </b><br />
Hyderabad: Eight screens will come up on fourth and fifth floors. An office block
is being planned in an area of 5,621 sq metres with three basements, ground and
six upper floors. Another multiplex has been proposed at Erramanzil, near NIMS,
where government quarters were razed for the metro rail project. L&T
proposes to put up a mall, including a six-screen multiplex, and another
multiplex and commercial building would come up opposite My Home Hub at
Madhapur. “We have inspected the sites on the request of L&T metro
rail and recommended provisional NOCs for malls,” regional fire officer P
Venkata Ramana told TOI.<br />
As per the concessionaire agreement, the metro project
developer could exploit space up to 18.5 million square feet (sft). Nearly,
12.5 million sft would be required for metro rail depots and terminal locations,
while six million sft would be available for metro rail stations. HMR has
agreed to transfer 269 acres land to the metro rail developer for
executing the project. Of the total land, nearly 70% of the space was allocated
to the three depots and 57 acres of land at 66 metro stations (air space) would
be utilized for commercial exploitation.<br />
L&T, which is eyeing transit oriented development
along the metro corridors, is likely to come up similar proposals for office
spaces, malls and multiplexes apart from hotels, service apartments, healthcare
facilities like hospitals, poly clinics, convention centres, theme parks,
entertainment zones and convenience retail at suitable places.<br />
Meanwhile, both the fire services department and
L&T have not yet finalized fire safety plan at metro stations. The fire
department has offered to depute its senior officials for overseeing fire
safety measures at stations, but L&T wants to have its own trained
personnel. “In Delhi Metro, fire officials were deputed to train staff and
ensure safety at all metro stations, but L&T wants to have its own set up,”
a senior official of the fire services department said.</span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-1970400515771604642013-08-04T12:49:00.002+05:302013-08-04T12:49:31.142+05:30Hyderabad Metro will be doomed after AP's division<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hyderabad metro will be doomed after the state's division. Because, it is designed on
false projections and lies. It is aimed at giving more lands to the private
party for real estate development. It is premised on extracting more and more
concessions from the state govt. It will
become a huge millstone (gudibanda in Telugu) around the neck of the new T state. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I will
post a more elaborate write-up later. Now the news item in TOI.- CR</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; padding: 0in;">Division
of Andhra may hit ridership on metro rail<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toireporter/author-Koride-Mahesh.cms"><i><span style="color: #024d99;">Koride Mahesh</span></i></a>, TNN | Aug 4,
2013. </span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Division-of-Andhra-may-hit-ridership-on-metro-rail/articleshow/21587177.cms" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Division-of-Andhra-may-hit-ridership-on-metro-rail/articleshow/21587177.cms</a></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; padding: 0in;">HYDERABAD: Will there be any
impact on metro rail ridership if the state is bifurcated? The answer is yes.</span><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">(<span style="background: white;">HMRL</span>)
officials fear it might impact the projected ridership for the metro rail,
which in turn might hit its fare box collection. Apart from this, the impact is
also likely to hit transit-oriented development and advertising revenue of
L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad)<span style="background: white;">. When the metro rail was designed a few years ago, the officials estimated
ridership could be 15 lakh per day by 2015 and might touch </span></span><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">22 lakh per day by 2025. The officials arrived at
the figure by taking volume of traffic, population and number of vehicles and
their growth per year into consideration. Bidders had also taken these figures
into consideration while quoting their bid amount for bagging the contract
during the bidding process.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br />
However, analysts claim the projected figure might change if the state is
divided as growth of the city, floating population, vehicular traffic and other
figures might not be relevant as development might slow down. "Several
traffic studies of Hyderabad reveal that every year two lakh personal vehicles
were being added to the roads in the city. The total motorized trips are 35
lakh per day, including 61% two-wheelers, 21% autos, 15% cars and 3% buses.
Now, new vehicles and passenger trips will be less in the separate state,"
an official of the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD)
department said.<br />
<br />
Infrastructure giant L&T had bagged the metro rail project in 2010 with an
approved cost of Rs 14,132 crore. The rail project is being implemented on
three corridors - Miyapur-LB Nagar, Jubilee Bus Station-Falaknuma and
Nagole-Shilparamam - covering a distance of 72 kms. The first two stretches
might be ready by December 2014 and commercial operations are likely to begin
in June 2015. The entire 72-km stretch is expected to be completed by July
2016. The concession period for the project is 35 years, which includes
five-year construction period, and could be extended by another 25 years.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, the</span> <span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">DMRC had
prepared a detailed project report for the metro rail project eight years ago
and estimated the traffic to be around 40,000 passengers per hour in peak
direction (PPHPD). However, the HMRL officials revised it to 60,000 PPHPD as
there was growth of traffic in the city. Initially, the metro train would have
three-car trains carrying 1,000 passengers each and later it would be six-car trains
for 6,000 passengers. The HMR has already announced frequency of the trains to
be 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours keeping in view of the likely ridership.<br />
<br />
"The L&T can ask the state government to increase passenger fare
(freezed minimum fare of Rs 8) or seek more concession period to reach their
estimated revenues," another official said.W hen contacted for comments on the likely impact, Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR)
managing director NVS Reddy refused to comment on the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683879984223979344.post-23265835203824862292013-06-28T12:19:00.000+05:302013-06-28T12:19:46.749+05:30Hyderabad needs a directly elected Executive Mayor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My piece in the Times of India today (28 June) on the need to have a directly elected mayor with executive powers for Hyderabad. A group of us had a brainstorming session on this in the past and held a press meet also before the Corporation elections</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. As there was a constraint on the word limit, I could not elaborate on some issues. But the spirit is there. - CR</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">--------------</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Hyderabad has emerged as a
city of national and global importance and has been contributing immensely to
economic growth, employment generation and providing livelihoods for vast
sections of people. It is therefore imperative that cities like this are
governed well so as to provide high quality civic services like in other cities
in developed countries. What we need is an effective and good city government
headed by a directly elected executive mayor with a strong political
commitment, orientation towards reform in administrative and financial aspects
and who is accountable to citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">In the present set up, there
is no leader the citizens can look up to. The Water Board is headed by the
chief minister who has no time for it. Its day-to-day affairs are looked after
by a civil servant. Nobody knows who the board members are and when it meets (if
it meets at all). Whether it is highly iniquitous supply, poor quality or
irregular timings, the citizens have to run from pillar to post. Take illegal
constructions. The building regularization scheme (BRS), which when implemented
some years ago was supposed to be a one-time measure, was later 'revised' into
a building penalization scheme (BPS), thus ensuring that the illegal activity
continues.<br />
Water bodies continue to shrink and vanish despite new laws. Less said the
better about the high profile metro rail project. Lands are being allocated to
L&T beyond the scope of and much more than what is listed in the concession
agreement, alignments are altered, heritage buildings affected etc, but there
is nobody to answer. Meanwhile, its promoters are on a brand-building bandwagon
spreading half-truths (and some untruths) to the people. For instance, the
project is known to have got an international award for best design while the
fact is that the designs are not yet finalized for several crucial junctions/routes.
All that the citizens have is an accounts officer heading the project who is
not accountable to the public at all. The quality of public transportation
continues to decline with no 'father' for the APSRTC to claim its rightful
place in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">All these factors are having a debilitating effect on
the quality of civic life. The citizens have to build up pressure on the
government and the political parties with a long term goal of far reaching
changes in the way the city is governed. The civil society has an important
role to play in this task. The long term goals should be: 1. Direct elections
to the mayor of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation; 2. Making the mayor an
executive mayor with adequate powers; 3. Giving effective administrative and
financial powers to the city government; 4. Making all the service providing
agencies in the city accountable to the city government (eg. public transport,
water supply & sewage, fire safety, environment etc., to mention only a
few).<br />
<br />
Several experts in the field of urban governance in Hyderabad have deliberated
on these issues in the past. The city cannot be governed in the same old ways
if the situation has to be improved drastically.</span></span></div>
Ramachandraiah Chigurupatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09048888054613970951noreply@blogger.com0