Minimise property acquisition for Metro Rail

Hyderabad, Sept 29 (INN): Principal Secretary to Government (Urban Development) TS Appa Rao on Wednesday told GHMC, TR&B and NH authorities to restrict road widening to 100 feet as far as possible during taking up work on the prestigious Hyderabad Metro Rail Project. Mr Appa Rao was speaking at a coordination meeting of all the state and central government departments and organizations concerned to review the progress of Right of Way creation for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project.

He emphasized the need to minimize acquisition of private properties, and said that road widening needs to be immediately taken up in priority areas like Jambagh road, and Nalgonda X roads to new market on Corridor-I (Miyapur-LB Nagar); Musheerabad to Koti junction via Sultan Bazar on Corridor-II (Jubilee Bus Station-Falaknuma); and Greenlands to Ameerpet, and Saradhi studio to Road No.5, Jubilee Hills via Krishnanagar on Corridor-III (Nagole-Shilparamam).

Regarding Right of Way issues on NH-9, the Principal Secretary advised GHMC Commissioner Dr Sameer Sharma and HMR MD NVS Reddy to have detailed discussions with TR&B and NH authorities and freeze the metro rail alignment early. In relation to the 8 railway crossings where the elevated metro rail viaduct has to cross over the railway lines, SC Railway Additional General Manager Arun Bhagra has mentioned that 7 crossings were accepted in principle by Railways and that the HMR authorities were advised to examine different alternatives for crossing the Secunderabad railway station.

HMR MD NVS Reddy has informed that survey of the alternatives suggested by SC Railway is in progress and that the survey results will be discussed with the railway authorities in the next railway coordination meeting. For shifting of utilities, the Principal Secretary has advised HMR MD to furnish detailed alignment drawings to AP Transco, APCPDCL, Water Board, BSNL and other utility organizations early and have detailed technical discussions with them.

Additional Commissioner of Police CV Anand has pointed out the need for early removal of encroachments, development of alternate roads, and junction improvement works for facilitating free flow of traffic during the metro rail construction phase. He has also emphasized on the need for awareness campaigns to educate commuters regarding traffic diversions and traffic discipline. Executive Director, APSRTC has requested for creation of proper bus bays on the ground floor of metro rail stations and other inter-modal integration facilities.

Defence Estate Officer PNB Sharma, TR&B ENC Siva Reddy, NH Regional Officer Y Bala Krishna and other senior officers of various departments participated in the meeting and indicated their full cooperation for timely execution of the mega metro rail project. Regular monthly coordination meetings will be conducted by the Principal Secretary (UD) till all the issues are resolved and periodical meetings will also be conducted at Chief Secretary-level for enabling execution of metro rail works with least disturbance to road users