First stretch of Hyderabad Metro to open in March 2015

Originally, the stretch was supposed to start operations by 2013 end

The first stretch of the 72-km three corridor Hyderabad metro rail project is stated to be opened for operations in March 2015.

 

Discounting the initial delay that arose on account of land acquisition among other things, the state government had fixed the appointment date of L&T as July 5, 2012, giving the company a fresh 5 year countdown to complete the project in 2017.

 

The L&T Metro Rail, Hyderabad Limited chief executive and managing director V B Gadgil on Thursday said they are expecting the first train to be delivered in the middle of 2014 by the South Korea's Hyundai Rotem Company for testing and commissioning purposes.

 

Originally, the 8-km Nagole-Mettuguda stretch, the first milestone of the project, was proposed to start operations by the end of 2013. It was then postponed according to the new timeline given to the company. 

 

"We are working single mindedly to complete the project in time," Gadgil said when asked about the political controversies surrounding the project besides the possible impact of bifurcation.

 

According to him, the company had so far spent Rs 3,100 crore on the project that was estimated to cost Rs 16,375 crore, including the Government of India's viability gap funding.