'Hyderabad's status not to impact Metro Rail project'

Construction major L&T doesn't foresee any problems for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, irrespective of the city's status after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The developer of the Rs.14,132-crore premier project believes Hyderabad will continue to grow whether the state remains united or a separate Telangana state is carved out.

"This project is for the city of Hyderabad. We never considered which state. We consider this city will continue to flourish because it has many distinct advantages in the country," said V.B. Gadgil, chief executive and managing director, L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. (LTMRHL).

"In my view, Hyderabad is one of the best metros with best infrastructure, airport, outer ring road, flyovers and expressway. I don't think any other metro can compete with Hyderabad," he told reporters here Thursday.

The work on the 72-km elevated Metro Rail project is moving at a brisk pace and LTMRHL is confident of commissioning the first phase March 21, 2015 as per schedule.

"The disturbance may last for a few days or a few months but in the longer run, Hyderabad will continue to require this project. It is a very important one and the city will have a unique opportunity for overall development," Gadgil said.

The central government has intensified efforts to carve out a separate Telangana state but suspense remains on its status in view of the demand from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) that the city be declared a union territory or common capital of Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

"We are of the firm view that nothing is going to happen to Hyderabad. There is a temporary problem in the city. We all know the conditions very well but in the long run, Hyderabad will do extremely well be it in a united state or a separate state," said Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy.