Speed up property acquisition: CS to Hyderabad, RR Collectors

Hyderabad: Chief Secretary S P Singh on Sunday asked Hyderabad and Rangareddy district collectors to expedite the acquisition of remaining properties for closing the ‘gaps’ in corridors so that most of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project could be commissioned by the end of 2017.

The Chief Secretary also advised Hyderabad Metro Rail MD N V S Reddy and L&TMRHL MD Shivanand Nimbargi to share their plans with R&B, National Highways, GHMC and other organisations with the objective of developing upcoming facilities at Metro stations in an integrated manner for the convenience of Metro passengers and citizens.

A team of senior officers, led by the Chief Secretary, inspected the Metro Rail stretch from Nagole to Begumpet (16 km) to identify the gaps, the required street level works at Metro stations, feeder services, and passenger security arrangements etc., since the authorities want it to be commissioned by the middle of this year.

The CS appreciated the footpath improvement done by HMRL at Gymkhana and Parade Grounds and the service roads, furniture, greenery and other beautification works done by it at Uppal and Nagole stations.

He directed the HMR MD to replicate such work at all the Metro stations so that passengers could enjoy full-fledged
facilities.

N V S Reddy and MAUD secretary Navin Mittal said that Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao had instructed that world class facilities be provided at Metro stations, including street rejuvenation, feeder bus services, electric vehicles and bicycle stations so that the problem of traffic congestion and pollution could be comprehensively addressed in the Metro corridors.

The officials also drew the attention of the CS to KTR’s emphasis on construction of skywalks from Metro Rail stations to minimize congestion and improve safety of pedestrians crossing the roads, while lending a unique character to the city.

Later, participating in a brainstorming session at the Operation Control Center (OCC) at Uppal Metro Rail depot, Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy requested the participants and L&T engineers to give ideas/suggestions for incorporation in the Command & Control Centre that is being built by the department at Banjara Hills and for integration of the Metro OCC with it.

The CS advised the Police Commissioner and the Additional Commissioner Jitender to give their inputs regarding passenger security and traffic improvement measures that are being planned by HMRL at the Metro stations.

He requested principal secretary (finance) K Rama Krishna Rao to give adequate financial support to HMRL, which was in the process of creating world class facilities and reshaping the city. He asked L&T representatives to complete the project at an early date as desired by the Chief Minister.