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HMR Is Jewel In Bangaru Telangana
Highlights
The City Hyderabad, the capital city of the state of Telangana, is one of the fastest growing metros in India. The core area of the city covers about 625 sq. km (under the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation).
The City Hyderabad, the capital city of the state of Telangana, is one of the fastest growing metros in India. The core area of the city covers about 625 sq. km (under the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation).
Apart from being the centre for pharma and some other traditional industries, the city has now emerged as a major IT, ITES and other service sector industries hub. With a number of universities, R&D institutions and other centres of higher education, modern corporate hospitals and a world-class new international airport, the city is a thriving urban agglomeration.
The city's strategic geographical location, image as a multilingual cosmopolitan city and the pro-active policies of the state government are making it an attractive destination and a flourishing centre of trade and commerce. The population of the city, which is currently around 8 million, is projected to grow to 13.6 million by 2021.
Traffic & Transportation scenario of the city
In the absence of a comfortable and efficient public transportation system, the traffic and transportation scenario of the city is a matter for concern. The existing public transport in the city is mainly the buses run by the State Road Transport Corporation, a public sector undertaking of the state government. Out of about 8 million motorized trips in the city, the share of public transport is only about 44%.
The rapid growth of the city, the rising income levels and the lack of a good public transportation system are resulting in phenomenal increase in private vehicles, causing frequent traffic jams and high pollution levels in the city. Presently there are over 3 million vehicles and about 0.2 million vehicles are getting added every year.
Real Estate Development
To enhance the financial viability and bankability of the project, the Concessionaire is allowed to undertake real estate development through commercial exploitation of air space over the lands provided for creation of project facilities such as depots and parking and circulation areas at select stations. The real estate development can be undertaken by the Concessionaire above the ground floor at the three depots at Miyapur (99 acres), Nagole (96 acres) and Falaknuma (17 acres) and above the parking and circulation areas at 25 select stations (57 acres at Category I, Category II and Category III Stations) in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Agreement, Applicable Laws and Good Industry Practice.
The cumulative built up area to be utilized for real estate development is 18.5 million sq. ft. (about 12.5 million sq. ft. over the 3 depots and 6 million sq. ft. at the 25 select stations). The ownership of the land will always remain with GoT. The built up area can only be used for rentals during the Concession Period and it will have to be handed over to GoT at the end of the Concession Period in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Agreement.
Institutional Arrangement
With a view to providing a single point nodal agency to coordinate with various government, semi-government and private agencies and facilitating implementation of the project by the Concessionaire, Government has established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. (HMR) as it's fully owned undertaking. Consisting of a small but highly motivated group of experienced engineers and senior government officers, HMR has initiated several measures for acquisition of the required lands, identification of obstacles, R&R, obtaining right of way for the three corridors, etc. The Heads of utilities in the city, such as Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana, and other connected senior officers of the government are on the Board of Directors of HMR.
HMR Mission
To create an efficient, safe, reliable, economical & world class public transportation system in Hyderabad which will facilitate the city's transformation as a competitive global city with high quality of life" Greater Hyderabad is a mega city that covers 625 sq. km. of municipal corporation area and 6,852 sq. km. of metropolitan area. It is fast emerging as the hub of IT/ITES, Biotech, Pharma and Tourism sectors. Its strategic geographical location, multilingual and cosmopolitan culture, tremendous growth potential and investment-friendly economic policy are all making it an attractive destination for corporates, entrepreneurs, academicians and homemakers alike.
• Its population stands at 8 million and is projected to touch 13.6 million by 2021.
• Currently, over 3 million personalised vehicles ply on Hyderabad roads, with an addition of 0.20 million vehicles every year.
• 8 million motorised trips are made every day, of which, only about 3.2 million or 40% are made by the Public Transportation System (PTS) i.e. buses and local trains. That means the rest of the trips are made by personal vehicles leading to traffic bottlenecks, high pollution levels and a steep increase in fuel consumption.
• A people-friendly city is that which provides a good quality of life. An efficient, safe, reliable and comfortable public transportation system is one of the pre-requisites of good living.
• The increasing pressure of the burgeoning population is putting Hyderabad's Transportation System under constant pressure. The need of the hour is a robust system that is dependable, comfortable, affordable and sustainable.
The answer lies in Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). Accordingly, the development of Metro Rail was approved for 72 km., covering three high density traffic corridors of Hyderabad. The Project is being developed on DBFOT basis in PPP mode.
Advantages of Metro
• The Metro Rail System has proven to be most efficient in terms of energy consumption, space occupancy and numbers transported.
• High-capacity carriers – very high volumes of peak hour peak direction trips.
• Eco-friendly – causes no air pollution, much less sound pollution.
• Low energy consumption – 20% per passenger km in comparison to road-based systems.
• Greater traffic capacity – carries as much traffic as 7 lanes of bus traffic or 24 lanes of car traffic (either way).
• Very low ground space occupation – 2 meter width only for elevated rail.
• Faster – reduces journey time by 50% to 75%.
Project Description
Based on a number of Traffic and Transportation studies conducted by various agencies, the then Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) approved development of Hyderabad Metro Rail (MRTS) project in three high density traffic corridors of the city spanning across 72 km in phase-I. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), Traffic Survey Reports, and other related reports were prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the project.
The three corridors spanning a length of approximately 72 km to be taken up in phase-I are as under.
• Corridor I: Miyapur – LB Nagar : 29 kms; 27 stations.
• Corridor II: JBS – Falaknuma : 15 kms; 16 stations.
• Corridor III: Nagole – Shilparamam : 28 kms; 23 stations.
The Metro Rail system under construction is a completely elevated system, generally run in the central median of the road. The viaduct structure for the elevated system is a box girder carrying two tracks on a single pier located on the median of the road.
The track gauge is a Standard Gauge (1435 mm) and the electrical traction is 25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead traction system. The signaling system caters to the needs of a designed speed of 80 KMPH, with state-of-the-art features consisting of Automatic Train Control (ATC), Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and upgradation facility to Automatic Train Operation (ATO).
The system is designed to cater to 50,000 PHPDT for Corridors I and III and 35,000 PHPDT for Corridor II. It will have to be built, operated, maintained and transferred at the end of the Concession Period as per the provisions of the Concession Agreement. The performance specifications and safety standards are enunciated in the Manual of Specifications & Standards (MSS), a well deliberated and published document of GoAP, based on "output oriented" performance philosophy. The miss provides scope for enough design flexibility and innovation, and it forms part of the Concession Agreement.
Silent features of Project
• It is an elevated metro rail, with two tracks (up and down lines) on a deck erected on pillars generally in the central median of the road, without obstructing the road traffic.
• Stations are located at an average interval of 1KM – elevated stations with passenger access through staircases, escalators and lifts.
• Adequate parking space and circulating areas are being provided for multi modal integration at the stations.
• With a frequency of 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours, the system is expected to carry about 17 lakh passengers per day by 2017 and 22 lakh by 2024.
• With a maximum speed of 80 kmph, the average speed of the trains will be 34 kmph – an international standard for MRT systems.
• The travel time by metro rail from one end to another is:
o 45 minutes for Corridor I (Miyapur-L.B.Nagar – 29Kms) as against 1 hr 46 minutes by bus.
o 22 minutes for Corridor II (Jubilee Bus Station-Falaknuma-15 Kms) as against 1 hr 10 minutes by bus.
o and 39 minutes for Corridor III (Nagole-Shilparmam-28 Kms) as against 1 hr 26 minutes by bus.
• Rails will be continuously welded to minimize noise levels.
• Power supply will be through 25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead traction system.
• Coaches will be air-conditioned with automatic door-closures and many other safety features.
• Signaling system ensures safety and specified speeds through Automatic Train Control (ATC), and Automatic Train Protection (ATP).
• Telecommunication facilities will be state of the art, facilitating continuous communication between Central Control, train drivers and station masters.
• Good inter-modal integration will be provided at all the rail terminals, bus stations, and the MMTS (existing joint venture of GoT and Railways) stations.
• All stations will have air conditioned "Merry go round" mini-bus services, connecting nearby colonies, business establishments and other popular places.
• Different categories of aesthetic stations are being designed to reflect the local architecture, latest trends, and to avoid/ minimise demolitions. As far as possible, parking and circulation areas will be developed on nearby Govt. lands.
• Eco-friendly Travel Mode – it will reduce air and noise pollution in the city.
• Smart card-based Automatic ticketing & gate systems for passenger convenience and seamless travel.
• Standard gauge track (1435 mm) to allow sharper curves and gradients.
Project features
• Elevated world-class station buildings at approximately every kilometre.
• Connects major offices, retail and residential areas - The two tracks (up and down lines) pass through the arterial roads of the city.
• Connects major bus stations at Miyapur, MGBS, Koti, Dilsukhnagar, Charminar and Jubilee Bus Station.
• Integration with existing rail terminals at Secunderabad, Begumpet and Nampally.
• Link to MMTS services at Bharatnagar, Begumpet, Khairatabad, Malakpet & Falaknuma.
• Feeder bus services to stations from different areas of the city is being planned by GoT.
• Green & Eco-friendly mode of travel - reduces carbon emission, fuel consumption and pollution.
• Faster, safer and comfortable air-conditioned travel with reduced travel time.
• Ultra-modern coaches.
• High frequency of trains reducing waiting time.
• User-friendly stations with lifts, staircases and facilities for the disabled.
• Parking facility at strategic locations along the route at the designated areas provided by the GoT.
• Automatic ticket vending machines - reducing waiting time in queues and counters.
• Automatic fare collection system - hassle free entry and exit from the stations.
• Essential facilities at stations - toilets, public address and information system, telephones
Multi Model Transportation
• All stations will have efficient feeder bus services ("Merry go round" air conditioned buses).
• Effective integration & interchange with rail terminals at Nampally, Secunderabad and Begumpet.
• Efficacious integration & interchange with bus stations at Miyapur, Dilsukhnagar, MGBS, Jubilee Bus Station, Rathifile, Koti and Falaknuma.
• Link to MMTS services at Bharatnagar, Begumpet, Khairatabad, Lakdikapul, Malakpet and Falaknuma.
• Adequate parking and circulating area for linking with other modes of transport.
• Reduces pollutants by about 3,100 tonnes per annum.
Status of the Project
Financial Closure for this mega Project was achieved within a record period of six months in the first week of March 2011. Financial Closure as achieved by the Concessionaire is for Rs.14,132 crores for the Metro Rail system cost as against the approved cost of Rs.12,132 crores. However, the VGF remains as the earlier approved Rs.1,458 crores. A consortium of 10 nationalized banks lead by SBI has approved the Financial Package.
The Concessionaire has fulfilled Conditions Precedent, such as providing Performance Security of Rs.360 crore; execution of Escrow Agreement; Substitution Agreement and Shareholders' Agreement along with Financial Agreements. Concessionaire has fulfilled all Conditions Precedent except certain Applicable Permits which will be obtained as and when required.
Government on its part, provided the Right of Way (RoW) & Lands required for construction of Rail Track; issued Fare Notification; and procured approval of all Railway crossings. Government has provided 57 acres of land for Parking & Circulation Areas as per Concession Agreement and also made available 212 acres of land for three Depots for three Corridors.
Government has set up Special Task Force (STF) headed by the Chief Secretary for regular monitoring of the progress of the Project. Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, the nodal agency for supervising the Project has appointed Louis Berger as Independent Engineer, apart from having a panel of nine well experienced Metro Rail/Main Rail retired Chief Engineers for technical guidance.
Government has sanctioned an expenditure of Rs.1,980 crores towards Land acquisition, R&R, Road Widening, Utility shifting etc.
G.Rajendra Kumar
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