Scrap Metro Rail project with Maytas: CBPTH

Hyderabad, Sep 29 (UNI) The Citizens for Better Public Transport Hyderabad (CBPTH), a coalition of civil society Organisation, today demanded the Andhra Pradesh Government scrap the agreement with the Maytas Infra for Rs 12,132 crore Metro Rail Project and make all documents relating to the project public first.

Talking to newspersons here, CBPTH Convenor C Ramachandraiah said the organisation had moved the High Court, as they were upset with the Government going ahead in signing the Concession Agreement, even before filing the counter to its petition.

Questioning the Maytas experience in building the Metro Rail, the CBPTH took objection to the clause in the Concession Agreement providing for ''extension of the lease period of 35 years, even if there was one per cent less ridership for a maximum period of six years without any repayment to the Government.

The clause meant that the Maytas would get six years extension automatically because the projected ridership of 15.5 lakh was far-fetched and could never be reached, he said, adding that the Delhi Metro was carrying only six to seven lakh passengers a day even after six years, as against the projected ridership of 25 lakh per day.

The stake in the Bangkok-based company in the Maytas Metro Ltd, a special purpose vehicle formed to execute the project had been reduced to five per cent after getting the project.

When major international companies with vast experience in implementing such projects had asked for viability gap found, how did the Maytas agreed to pay back the Government, he asked.

The Government should first hold a public hearing as provided for in the A P Municipal Tramways Act and make available all documents relating to the project for scrutiny.

UNI SM KVV ARB RK1947