No end in sight to logjam between Telangana govt and L&T over Hyd metro rail

Even as commuters in various important junctions of Hyderabad suffer the brunt of constant construction of the Metro Rail project, the state government and Larsen & Toubro have problems of their own over cost and time.

Speaking about the consequences, an official from Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) told the Times of India "The logjam over the project schedule continues with both government and L&T sticking to their guns. A report from the independent engineer is awaited and due procedure will follow. If the two sides do not come to an agreement on the schedule after the report is received, then arbitration is an option."

The report adds:

While L&T expects the government to take responsibility for the delay and compensate it monetarily, the latter appears disinclined to do so on the grounds that project schedule is the prerogative of the concession partner, in this case L&T. 

The project cost has already been bumped up by Rs 4,000 crore from its initial estimate. 

Operations yet to begin

While one stage of construction is over in the city and as even got clearance, operations are yet to begin.

Last week, the second stage of construction of Hyderabad Metro Rail project between Miyapur and S.R. Nagar which extends over 12 km conducted trial runs and is likely to get clearance for commercial operations in two months.

The Hindu reported:

The 72-km project across the three corridors has been divided into six main construction stages by L&TMRH. Although he did not want to reveal when the commercial operations would begin, HMR MD NVS Reddy said that the HMR was ready with a plan to start feeder services from stations to nearby colonies to pick and drop passengers to ensure last mile connectivity whenever the commercial operations begin in these two sections.