Reddy forsees H'bad Metro take off during fiscal

New Delhi, Apr 28: Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today said he would want the foundation stone for the Hyderabad Metro to be laid by the end of current fiscal and said that the Centre would extend all technical and financial support for ensuring the ambitious 66 km project would be a reality in less than five years.

Addressing an all party delegation of MPs and MLAs from Hyderabad who met him to discuss about the Hyderabad Metro and pending projects concerning his Ministry, Mr Reddy said as a Hyderabadi he wanted the project to take off and the fruits of the benefits of the project should reach all people. The state government is in the process of selecting the consultants for the project for the Metro.

He said whether one liked it or not developing countries will witness rapid urbanisation in the second half of 21st century, a trend that was seen in the developed countries during the 20th century.

He said eventhough the Urban Development was a state subject, the Centre was helping the states through numerous urban development schemes. He said the demographic projections showed that over 50 per cent of the population will be urbanites in the near future and it was necessary for the planners to be ready. The Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission was precisely addressing this issue, he said.

Delhi Metro Chief E Sridharan who also addressed the delegation said Hyderabad Metro project had several plus points compared to other cities. The city had already addressed the problem of widening of roads and the Metro did not require any underground sections.

Geographically the city was located in safe zone as far as earth quake dangers were concerned. The government should be concerned about the delays because the costs will be mounting by 84 lakhs every passing day. The project should get environmental clearance as this was not a requirement for an urban project till recently.

The all party delegation led by Andhra Pradesh Information and Power Minister Mohammad Ali Shabir had travelled on Delhi Metro yesterday to understand the intricacies of project and its implementation.

UNI

Related Stories