L&T Reiterates Its Commitment on Metro Rail Project, Says 67% Completed So Far  

Hyderabad: L&T, the concessionaire executing Rs 16,375-cr Hyderabad Metro Rail Project under the public, private partnership mode, has reiterated its commitment to complete the project expeditiously, while claiming that 67 percent of the project was completed by September 2016. L&T has issued a press release stating its commitment on completion of the metro rail project after a story published by a Telugu news paper saying that L&T is planning to exit the project and its stake is up for sale.

SN Subrahmanyan, Deputy Managing Director and President at L&T and Non-Executive Chairman at L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited, said: "We reiterate our commitment to complete this prestigious project expeditiously with all the support and cooperation of Government of Telangana State and the people of Hyderabad."

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) also announced that the project is progressing with support and cooperation from Telangana government and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhara Rao.

Subrahmanyan further said: “The project is moving on the right track and L&T is committed to the project. Whole hearted support and cooperation from the Government of Telangana under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, is fully there. City obstructions that crop up are being tracked and addressed at regular intervals at the highest level, to make sure that the momentum is not lost and the project is completed.”

However, L&T is facing cost escalation to the tune of Rs.3,000 crore on account of delays in execution. L&T already missed its July 2017 deadline to complete the project. In May, the company agreed that the project may not be completed before December 2018. Even if the project is completed by December 2018, it'll be a one-and-a-half-year delay.

The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has completed the inspection and issued the certification for stretches between Nagole to Mettuguda and SR Nagar to Miyapur routes. L&T in the release said that foundations for 59.05 Km have been completed. Piers on 56.61-km stretch, span erection on 47.66-km route and track work on 35.70-km have been completed.

17 stations are totally completed in Stage-1 (Nagole to Mettuguda) and Stage 2 (SR Nagar to Miyapur), and work at 3 Interchange Stations (Ameerpet, MGBS & Parade Grounds) and other 30 Stations are in progress. Subrahmanyan further said that all the 57 trains have arrived at the depots. Bharath Nagar Rail Over Bridge (ROB) is completed and work on the remaining seven ROBs is in progress.

"Overall 67 percent of the total work is completed till 30 September 2016, which by all standards is a speedy execution. Works in crowded and difficult stretches like Sultan Bazaar area, are on brisk pace inspite of rains and festive season," Subrahmanyan said.