Expectations for the next phase of metro rail construction have been raised, but for the patrons of MMTS, the expectations for at least the second phase have dipped this year. The government has not paid a single penny for the joint venture suburban rail project in this year’s budget, despite appeals from passengers and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy, who is also the Secunderabad MP.
“It is very unfortunate with it being the main cause of political differences. I have been watching it for so many years. Due to South Central Railway (SCR), the government has also slowed down the work with payments not releasing more than 500 crores. People living in the suburbs are suffering, ”Noor Ahmed Ali, secretary of the Suburban Train Passenger Association.
He and many others are knocking on the doors of the railway and government departments, seeking to complete the project early, which are scheduled to begin in 2018. The phase two project for approximately 85 km and at an initial cost of about 641 was envisioned. More than a decade ago, the then government signed an agreement to fund two-thirds of the cost following the successful launch of MMTS Phase I. The first phase was taken on a 50% cost-sharing basis. Services have not resumed since the epidemic-induced lockout last year.
Initially costing ₹ 817 crore over time, the railway sat on the offer as the suburban train systems were considered ‘damaging’ and the lines were said to be “not enough to run more local trains”. By the time it was realized that the railways needed an infrastructure network – suburban services or not, priorities had changed with the governments here.
‘Looking for money’
“We are in constant touch with the government to release funds as the project is in the final stages. We have already spent more to make lines faster. Senior railway officials, on the condition of anonymity, said that we will start construction soon to run the existing freight and passenger trains.
In other words, there will not be a local rail network connecting the suburbs even when the railway completes the remaining works. SCR has already been using the Selapur route for the last two years to use the first phase of MMTS Phase-II 5.75 km Ramachandrapuram.
Between Construction Gap ‘Santnagar-Moula Ali 19 km, Falaknuma-Umdanagar 13 km, Kacheguda-Sitaphalmandi-Moula Ali 10 km, Moula Ali-Ghatkes 12.2 km and Secunderabad-Malkajgiri-Medchal 25 km are between electrification, signaling stations, signaling stations . , Level crossing, etc.
Senior officials said, “Once completed, we may be in a position to run more trains towards Mumbai and Bengaluru, bypassing the freight trains away from the Secunderabad station.”
MMTS patrons, such as Mr. Noor, request the railways to pay attention to tracks, electrification and level crossings rather than buildings on suburban routes.
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