Metro Rail works: smooth traffic flow to be ensured

Hyderabad, Jan 19 (INN): Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday directed the police department to ensure that the general public is not put to any inconvenience during the construction work on the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy told Hyderabad Commissioner of Police AK Khan to identify alternative routes and other traffic improvement works required for immediate action.

The Chief Minister further ordered the setting up of a Special Task Force to monitor the progress of the project on a weekly basis. The Chief Secretary would be the Chairman of this Task Force. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy's directions came at a review meeting on the progress of Hyderabad Metro Rail project with senior officials of the state government and the chief executives of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd.

After a detailed presentation by HMR MD NVS Reddy and that by the Chairman of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd YM Deosthalee, the Chief Minister directed the state administration, HMR authorities and L and T officials to complete all the formalities with the banks and financial institutions to achieve Finance Closure by the due date in March and start the ground works.

He laid special emphasis on carrying out an effective traffic management plan so that any inconvenience to the road users is minimized during construction of the project. Appreciating the proactive approach of the AP Government and HMR officials, Mr Deosthalee informed the Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy that achieving Financial Closure in six months for the world's largest Metro Rail project will be a record.

Mentioning that they have not seen such a proactive response anywhere else in the country, the L&T executives informed the Chief Minister that already about 70 reputed metro rail professionals including many expatriates are working on the project. Reiterating their commitment to complete the project as per schedule, they have requested government to expedite acquisition of private lands required for the project and road widening activities so as to avoid any possible hiccups.

Municipal Minister M Maheedhar Reddy, Chief Secretary SV Prasad, MA and UD Principal Secretary TS Appa Rao, Commissioner of Police AK Khan, GHMC Commissioner Sameer Sharma, HMDA Commissioner Rajeswar Tiwari, Addl CP (Traffic) CV Anand and other senior government officials were present from government side. Apart from Mr Deosthalee, L&T MRHL MD VB Gadgil, Senior Vice President K Venkatesh and other senior executives were present from L&T side.