Metro thru Sultan Bazaar - A failed promise

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.

నిజంగా అయితే "మాట తప్పిన మెట్రో" అని కాప్షన్ వుండాలి. 
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?

L&T's letter to Govt for Project Takeover

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.

Subject: Hyderabad Metro Rail: Project Takeover Proposal

The letter by L&T Metro’s MD, Mr. Gadgil, to the MD of HMR is dated 10^th 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.

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”.

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.

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”.

In point 24, he states …”it would be most appropriate that the GoT should take over the Project and the underlying contract from the Concessionaire. The GoT should do so by restituting the Concessionaire in a manner whereby the Concessionaire’s property and entitlements are returned to it”.

If the L&T continues with this project it has to explain how it will become financially viable hereafter.

Secunderabad Clock Tower getting dwarfed by Metro pillars

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.

AAP demands scrapping of Metro Corridor-2

AAP is the only party in Telangana (or AP) that has taken a clear position on the 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:

AAP considers this as land and real estate project. AAP demands transparency and compliance with the Concession Agreement.

- All important documents of the HMR will be made available in the website of the HMR.

- Full compliance with the RTI Act.

- 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.

- Modifying the Concession Agreement through Government Orders will not be allowed.

Corridor II (JBS to Falaknuma) should be scrapped.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.

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.

Truck falls into metro pit, kills 2 workers

Truck plunges into metro rail pit, kills 2

Times of India, Hyderabad, 18 April 2014

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.
    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. 

    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. 

    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.
    Due to the accident, traffic on the busy Chaderghat-Malakpet route moved at a snail’s pace till afternoon.

FIR against L&T by the NHAI

 An 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 

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.

Hyderabad metro breaks Manjira water pipeline

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).
(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.)

Lies and half-truths of Metro MDs on Land Robbery

Citizens for a Better Public Transport in Hyderabad

(A coalition of civil society organizations and individuals)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                 8 November 2013.

Press Release

Hyderabad Metro Rail Project

We Refute the Lies of NVS Reddy & VB Gadgil on Land Robbery

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.

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.

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.

1. 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:

-          “The effort of the HMR appears to be, to shield or immunise itself from any plausible objections, and unfortunately 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.”

-          “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.”

-          “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.” 

-          “Acceptance of the contention of the respondents would lead to disastrous consequences. 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.”

2.  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?

3. 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.

4. 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. These are not part of the Agreement. If not land robbery, what else is it?

5. 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.

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?

6. 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.

 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 –

-          Concession Agreement,

-          Detailed Project Reports,

-          Lands promised in the Agreement and lands allocated along with the location and extent, 

-          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),

-          Complete designs of the intersections of the Corridors with one another at three places.

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.

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.

This is an externally shining project like “medi pandu” but, if opened, a lot of muck will come out.

Sd/-

Dr. C. Ramachandraiah, Social Scientist, Convenor, Citizens for Better Public Transportation

in Hyderabad (Mobile: 94400 35405).

Mr. S. Jeevan Kumar, State President, Human Rights Forum, Andhra Pradesh

Mr. B. Ramakrishna Raju, State Convenor, National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM), A.P.

Mr O.M. Debara, General Secretary, Forum for a Better Hyderabad.

Traders on Corridor 2 protest against Metro route

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.

Metro MD misleads the people of Telangana with job reservation

Misleading the people of Telangana by lying. Hyderabad metro MD promises that 40k jobs (out of 50k that would be generated) would be reserved for Telanganites. Can he do that? One official says: "In reality, the number of employees required ... is around 20,000. The inflated number being assured by the metro rail authorities can later lead to unrest among the local people apart from misleading the public." It is a PPP project and the metro MD will have no say in recruitment. 

- CR
Metro rail MD in bind over jobs for T youth

May 9, 2013

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Metro-rail-MD-in-bind-over-jobs-for-T-youth/articleshow/19959985.cms

HYDERABAD: A TRS-TJAC delegation on Wednesday called on Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) authorities and demanded that 80% of the jobs that the project will generate should be reserved for people from Telangana. According to sources, when a delegation met HMRL managing director NVS Reddy, he assured that the demand would be fulfilled. Reddy told them that the project would generate about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. and that they would not have any hesitation in reserving 80% of it for the people of Telangana

The delegation that met NVS Reddy included TRS Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao, politburo member Sravan Kumar Dasoju and MLCsSwamy Goud and Mahmood Ali besides TJAC leaders Srinivas Goud and Addanki Dayakar. The team reminded the metro rail officials of the AP Public Employment (Organization of Local Cadre and Regulation Direct Recruitment Order- 1975) Act, also known as Presidential Order 1975, which reserves 80% of government jobs to locals. "We explained the provision of the Act and also warned of an agitation in case our demand is not met. Responding positively to our demand, NVS Reddy said that of the total estimated 50,000 jobs, 40,000 would be reserved for locals."

However, according to a senior official in the municipal administration department, the TRS delegation approached the wrong party in seeking an assurance on job reservation as the Hyderabad Metro Rail authorities have no say in the matter. "The metro rail project is an infrastructure project being executed under public private partnership (PPP), and Larsen & Toubro is the concessionaire for the project. HMRL has no role in the recruitment because L&T has given the operation and maintenance (O&M) contract to Keolis, a France-based public transport operator, which would hire people in consultation with the concessionaire," said the official.

According to the official, HMRL has got it wrong with regard to the number of jobs that the project is expected to generate. "In reality, the number of employees required , including construction and operation, is around 20,000. The inflated number being assured by the metro rail authorities can later lead to unrest among the local people apart from misleading the public," said the official.

Money only for Metro Rail, Not MMTS

The AP budget provides Rs. 500 crore for the ongoing metro rail for the financial year 2013-14. There has never been any shortage of allocations in the budget for this mega project. But the long neglected and awaited phase II of the MMTS (multi-modal transit system) gets nothing. It was reported in one newspaper that an amount of Rs. 17.5 cr was allocated for MMTS while one paper reported that there was no mention of this at all. Non-allocation of money for MMTS once again indicates that public transport and mobility of people in Hyderabad has never been a priority for the state government. In the last several years some paltry amounts have been allocated in the budgets but there is no evidence of spending that money.

(Photo: From a newspaper, no date available)

It may be recalled that MMTS trains are operated by the Indian Railways on the existing railway tracks. The phase I was completed in August 2003 with an investment of about Rs. 200 crore on a length of 40 km carrying about 1.5 lakh passengers everyday. These trains now connect Falaknuma-Kachiguda-Secunderabad-Begumpet-Lingampally and also Nampally-Lingampally. This is one of the cheapest modes of transportation and has become very popular with the commuters. It is a joint venture between Indian Railways and AP state govt with a share of 2/3rds by the latter.

The phase II of this project covering 70 km with a cost of about Rs.600 crore should have been completed by 2005. It would have connected Shamshabad, Gatkesar and Medchal on the outskirts with the city core. Ever since the metro rail project came to the centre stage in 2005 successive state govts have not shown any interest in allocating money to this project. 

Hyderabad city requires all modes of the transport to be improved and integrated over a period of time. But now, for the sake of the metro project, all the alternative/existing modes of transport are either neglected or downgraded. That is the tragedy of the present times. That shows the real nature of the metro rail project.

Drinks, Dinner and Dance

This is just to share on the tactics employed by the Hyderabad metro authorities (govt’s HMR and the private L&T) to promote an image for the metro in the city. This has nothing against the participants in the so called ‘interaction’ as we have a lot of good friends in the journalist fraternity.

On 20^th January, the metro authorities invited many journalists for an ‘interactive’ session. It was not in their office in the city but at Taramati Baradari, a place known for cultural shows and partying on the outskirts of the city. What followed was less of interaction and more of drinks and dinner (with some dance by the chiefs of the HMR and L&T metro).  We are reproducing below an item in the Times of India, Hyderabad, 22 January 2013 under the title CHATPATA (image also inserted below the text).

“The NVS-Gadgil show “
“It was supposed to be a serious interaction (or so said the invite) with NVS Reddy and V B Gadgil over the future of metro rail in Hyderabad. But to everybody’s surprise, the event organised at Taramati Baradari over the weekend turned out to be comical with the Hyderabad Metro Rail chief deciding to entertain his guests by shaking a leg to some disco numbers being played by an orchestra team that had been especially brought in for the occasion. If that wasn’t shocking enough for the invitees, Reddy was soon heard crooning some Telugu folk songs (written to promote the metro rail) in his not-so-melodious voice leaving the gathering to wonder just what the meet was all about. The pool side party got even more colourful with the L&T CEO joining in, not to speak about the progress of the transport project, but render a peppy English number for his audience. That the duos’ show didn’t go down well with many was evident from the disgusted look on the faces of guests who were seen cursing themselves for landing up for the alleged conference. Some others, however, found solace in the delicious spread served up hot and spicy! “ (Note: NVS Reddy is the MD of HMR and V.B. Gadgil CEO and MD of L&T Metro Rail.)

No wonder, one reporter was probably so much impressed with the drinks and dinner that he likened the metro pillars with “beautiful girls playing under the moonlight” in a Telugu daily. Now the L&T is making promotional films to project an image for the metro. It is inviting students, executives, senior citizens, housewives, and others to become Brand Ambassadors for Hyderabad Metro Rail. It is ‘your chance to become a celebrity’, says half-page advts in the local news papers in early January.

It may be noted that the Hyd metro construction is going on in full swing in two stretches of 8km and 12km where the roads are already very wide. The citizens will start experiencing the traffic nightmares when the construction enters beyond these stretches and when hundreds of shops will have to be demolished. That will take some more time before which the authorities are trying to create and promote graphically designed images for the metro.

Probably, more comical shows may follow!

- Dr. C. Ramachandraiah

Hyderabad Metro - to be the Ugliest in India?

Hyderabad Metro to be the Ugliest in India By Dr C. Ramachandraiah.

As it is, an elevated corridor itself makes the streets ugly in the thickly built core areas with the corridors at heights of 40-70 feet. Now, imagine if the corridors at such heights have overhead electric cables to run the metro rails (like the normal Indian Railways). What happened to the tall claims of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and L&T officials that this metro will be the most advanced in India? The story of HMR getting more bizarre as the time passes! 

The latest in the metro rail technology is to supply electricity through a Third Rail that runs between the two tracks. The moving train derives power from this Third  Rail. The Delhi metro rail has opted for it between Delhi and Gurgaon. The Bangalore metro rail too is operating on the Third Rail technology.  Further, this system costs over 25 % less than the traditional AC traction system. Then what prevents them from adopting it in Hyderabad? How can they claim this metro to be eco-friendly? If not adopted, then what is the latest about this metro when they are adopting outdated technology? Strangely, they are citing the lack of engineers and safety of passengers as reasons. Both reasons appear false.

Imagine the streets of Hyderabad and the three corridors criss-crossing the city over the flyovers and railway lines. At three places, the metro corridors themselves have to cross over each other (Ameerpet, Patny and Kothi). Elevated corridors passing over the electric lines above another corridor! At four places over the flyovers (Greenlands, Punjagutta, Nalgonda cross roads, HiTec city). At eight places or so, they have to cross railway bridges, the prominent one being at Malakpet.

Imagine at what heights will the electric lines be? And in the thickly built streets, is it not dangerous for the residences abutting the corridors (at 30 ft away) from those electric cables? Doesn’t this indicate that Hyd metro will be the ugliest metro in India? Isn’t it also true that the concerned officials have been hoodwinking the public about its socalled ‘state of the art’ technology?

We have been arguing from the beginning that this metro is being built on lies and false claims. We assure you again that we will prove right in the coming period also.

Read more on this in the TOI news item:

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIH/2013/01/06&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00201&ViewMode=HTML

Big Lie - Hyderabad metro to carry 60000 pphdt

This is one of the lies being spread by  the project promoters and their cohorts. First, there will be no load of that size (60,000 pphdt) in Hyderabad. This city doesn't have a central business district (CBD) of the scale of connaught place in Delhi. Even the Delhi metro is not carrying that much load. Delhi metro is carrying about 16 lakh/day, sometimes a maximum of 20 lakh on some days. That is, in a city of 1.3 crore people with a metro network of 162 km (including 32 km underground) on 6 corridors. To say that Hyderabad metro of 72 km will carry 15 lakh and then 25 lakh is spreading BIG lies to justify such projects. Only future will tell how this project becomes a curse for the city.-- CR

HYDERABAD, October 9, 2012

Hyderabad metro rail to carry 60,000 passengers per hour

GEETANATH

Hyderabad Metro Rail is going to be a ‘high density’ project in terms of carrying capacity of passengers per hour. It means that when operational the elevated rail system can carry up to 60,000 Passengers Per Hour in Peak Direction (PPHPD). Initially the plan was to build a ‘medium density’ project which entails a carrying capacity of 40,000 passengers per hour per direction as per the Delhi Metro prepared detailed project report. Later, it was decided to scale up during the construction stage itself by increasing the axle load for hauling more people considering the rising traffic density across the three routes. “Little can be done once the viaduct and piers are constructed so we decided to increase the axle load when the work began,” explains Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy. While the three car trains will have a carrying capacity of 1,000 passengers per trip, six car trains later will have carrying capacity of 6,000 passengers with a frequency of five minutes a train. For more, read.. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/hyderabad-metro-rail-to-carry-60000-passengers-per-hour/article3980572.ece?homepage=true 

L&T Hyd Metro gets 15 acres at Raidurg - scandal unfolding too fast?

Our comment: L&T Hyd metro scandal is unfolding too fast. We have been saying from the very beginning that it is a land-real estate project in the garb of metro. 15 acres of land at Raidurg in the IT hub Gachibowli area is the key for extension of the metro route by 1 km. This was not part of the Concession Agreement. Instead of at Shilparamam the Line-3 will now terminate one kilometre away. The news item says: “The terminal station at Shilparamam was aborted since the site was found to be on a lake bed.”  What a farcical reason. If so, didn't they know it before? It also says: there would be no need to acquire "any land for parking and circulating areas for the stations from institutions like Osmania University, National Institute of Nutrition, Koti Women’s College and others.” If so, then how are you going to provide parking space for commuters at these stations?

Metro rail extended till Raidurg (The Hindu, Hyd, 29 Aug 2012)

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article3834705.ec

Hyderabad Metro Rail’s Line Three from Nagole to Shilparamam will now terminate one kilometre away at Raidurg with the Government issuing orders allotting 15 acres for developing parking and circulation area for the station on Tuesday.

The land was under the possession of A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and has been handed over to the metro rail authorities for Rs.9 crore towards development charges excluding the land cost.

It will be part of the 269 acres to be provided for the project and apart from land for depots at Miyapur, Nagole and Falaknuma, 57 acres are for parking and circulation at the overhead stations.

With Raidurg land allotment, another 12 acres remain to be given. The terminal station at Shilparamam was aborted since the site was found to be on a lake bed.

The elevated train will now take a left turn near Hi-Tec City and culminate near the Mindspace-Raheja edifice at Raidurg, explained HMR Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy. The new station should come as a boon to the estimated 2 lakh-odd people working in the hub including those working in the adjacent financial district. It would also mean avoiding seeking any land for parking and circulating areas for the stations from institutions like Osmania University, National Institute of Nutrition, Koti Women’s College and others.

The extra kilometre for Line Three will escalate the Rs.14,132 crore project cost by Rs.200 crore. The third corridor will now be 28.52 km/24 stations. Line One is from Miyapur-L.B.Nagar – 28.87 km/27 stations and Line Two proposed from Jubilee Bus Station-Falaknuma is 14.78 km/16 stations and overall, the metro rail covers 72.16 km.

HMR's starting date - 5 July 2012

This itself is another face of a scam. Instead of announcing the date on which the works were commenced, the L&T and HMR announced that 5th July 2012 as the official starting date (Appointed Date) for the Hyderabad metro rail. That is, nearly eight months after commencing the works. After dilly-dallying for several months and more than one year after financial closure (March 2011) they have finally announced this date. The project will have to be completed within 5 years. Only time will tell and expose their hypocrisy

The official press release says: "On government's assurance, L&T started construction activity from May this year but the appointed date could not be declared as the government had to fulfill certain conditions,". L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd, the concessionaire of the project, together with HMRL, announced this official date of commencement.

As civil society activists we have been questioning the HMR and L&T regarding the delay in not announcing the Appointed Date (as per the Concession Agreement) even after starting the civil works.

HMR told to seek public opinion on metro rail

Seek public opinion on metro rail: High Court to Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited

Times of India,  Apr 18, 2012

HYDERABAD: A division bench of the high court on Tuesday asked both the authorities of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), the state government and various other stakeholders including the owners of the properties which are being acquired for the project, to work out within a week a model through which the responsibility of eliciting public opinion is fulfilled and the project moves from its initial phase to the next stage.

The bench was hearing an appeal filed by HMRL against the order of a single judge staying the ongoing project work. The judge found fault with the authorities for not hearing the public before going ahead with the project work. The stay was granted following a petition filed by the owners of the properties.

The metro rail authorities showed the details of the project to the bench comprising Chief JusticeMadan B Lokur and Justice P V Sanjay Kumar on Tuesday through a power point presentation.

D V Sitarama Murthy, senior counsel for the property owners, said that the project was completely shrouded in mystery as the officials displayed a scant regard for a democratic approach. "Their arrogance in refusing even to listen to us is disturbing," he said. "Their attempt to describe it as a tramway is also not correct," he said and added that the project was very much a metro rail. The dangerous curves in the proposed line between Ameerpet and Shilparamam were a result of change of alignments. In crowded areas, the options of underground rail should be considered, he said. The chief justice asked both the authorities and the petitioners to work out a model through which public opinion on the project could be elicited. "It's not possible to hear half of Hyderabad now. Therefore, it would be better for each side to nominate experts to put forward their opinion during the public hearing," he said.

L&T stays away from Metro site tour

L&T stays away from Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited site tour

Times of India,| Apr 7, 2012.

HYDERABAD: While Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) claimed on Friday that the project was well on course, representatives of Larsen & Toubro, the project contractor, were conspicuous by their absence when the site inspection was conducted. 

Sources in L&T said the company was insisting on addressing critical issues like getting the HC stay vacated on the works in the stretch between Ameerpet and Jubilee Hills, which is a part of Corridor-III between Nagole and Shilparamam, before claiming that all was well as far as the progress of the project was concerned. 

HMRL took the media on a tour to Miyapur where it acquired 104 acres of land for the project, recently, after the high court gave its nod to fresh notification for the land acquisition. Legislators Jayaprakash Narayan and Bhikshapathi Yadav, representing Kukatpally and Serilingampally, through which the metro rail passes, accompanied the team. 

A highly-placed source in the L&T said the company was not interested in being present at the event as it would convey a wrong message that the project work had begun when, actually, it was not the case. "Preparatory works are not the actual works and people must not be confused about it. Our participation would have created that confusion and, therefore, we stayed away," said the source. 

The sources in the L&T said the company was particularly concerned about the court stay on the works on the stretch between Ameerpet and Jubilee Hills as the court had made some serious observations about the modalities of dealing with the project when it gave the stay order last month. The court has said: "There is a serious lacuna in the very launching of the project, under the AP Tramways Act, although it is almost a full-fledged railway." 

While HMRL is taking time to file an appeal in the court asking for vacation of the stay in the backdrop of the court's scathing remarks, L&T is understood to have expressed its concerned over the delay. "HMRL's priority should have been to take efforts to vacate the stay instead of conducting the site visits that would not take us anywhere at this stage," said the sources in L&T.

Replying to media query relating to the issue at the site visit, NVS Reddy, managing director of HMRL, said the efforts were on to tackle all the legal issues pending. "I would not like to talk about the stay order at this juncture as it would be sub judice. But, I am sure that we can convince the court that we are on right track and there is no doubt in our mind that the project will face any hurdles on its way." 

Sources in the HMRL said they were studying the court's order and would take some more time before filing the appeal as it had to be done critically well considering the court's remarks. 

Apart from the stay order there are many issues to be resolved before handing over the entire Right of Way (ROW) to the L&T. While HMRL is yet to acquire 15.5 acres of land, earmarked for the project in Osmania University, the project evoked violent protests in Sultan Bazar area that comes in the. Besides, HMRL Road widening is yet to be done at various parts along the stretch of the planned alignment of the project.