Hyderabad: With the state govt not responding to the railways’ requests to extend MMTS from Ghatkesar to Yadagirigutta (33 km), the railways has decided to take up the project on its own at a cost of 650 crore and complete it within the next two years.
“The railways decided to complete the Ghatkesar-Yadadri extension project under MMTS Phase-II using their own funds.This comes after multiple appeals to the state govt to approve its share of the project cost were met with no response. As a result, the railways chose to proceed with the project independently, ensuring its completion without further delay. This project will be ready in the next two years,” Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy said.
The project’s cost was initially pegged at 450 crore, but it has since escalated by an additional 200 crore. In 2017, the Centre had approved the Ghatkesar-Yadadri extension project. Accordingly, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited prepared a detailed project report, revising the cost to 430 crore and submitting it to the railways and the state govt.
The project was supposed to be executed as a cost-sharing initiative, with the state govt contributing two-third of the funds and the rest by the railways. The state govt’s share amounted to 290 crore at that time.
Later, SCR invited tenders, anticipating partial funding from the state, but later cancelled them due to lack of response from the govt. The project encompasses the construction of a new track between Ghatkesar and Yadagirigutta, electrification, procurement of new MMTS rakes and other amenities.
At present, the temple town can be reached from Secunderabad by four trains: Krishna Express, Memu Express Special, Kakatiya Express, and Push Pull. Most of the pilgrims from Hyderabad who visit Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple depend on buses and private vehicles for their transportation.
“The scarcity of trains between the twin cities and the temple town has led to a heavy reliance on RTC buses, which charge passengers between 60 and 80 per trip. The MMTS services will provide a more affordable alternative, with fares ranging between 15 and 20. These services are expected to run at a frequency of 30 minutes and will enhance convenience for commuters. This project would be particularly advantageous for devotees residing in and around Malkajgiri, Lallaguda, Cherlapally, and Moula Ali. To maximise the benefits of the MMTS services, it is crucial for the railways to connect other parts of the city to Ghatkesar,” Suburban Train Travellers Association general secretary Noor Ahmed Ali said.
“The railways decided to complete the Ghatkesar-Yadadri extension project under MMTS Phase-II using their own funds.This comes after multiple appeals to the state govt to approve its share of the project cost were met with no response. As a result, the railways chose to proceed with the project independently, ensuring its completion without further delay. This project will be ready in the next two years,” Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy said.
The project’s cost was initially pegged at 450 crore, but it has since escalated by an additional 200 crore. In 2017, the Centre had approved the Ghatkesar-Yadadri extension project. Accordingly, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited prepared a detailed project report, revising the cost to 430 crore and submitting it to the railways and the state govt.
The project was supposed to be executed as a cost-sharing initiative, with the state govt contributing two-third of the funds and the rest by the railways. The state govt’s share amounted to 290 crore at that time.
Later, SCR invited tenders, anticipating partial funding from the state, but later cancelled them due to lack of response from the govt. The project encompasses the construction of a new track between Ghatkesar and Yadagirigutta, electrification, procurement of new MMTS rakes and other amenities.
At present, the temple town can be reached from Secunderabad by four trains: Krishna Express, Memu Express Special, Kakatiya Express, and Push Pull. Most of the pilgrims from Hyderabad who visit Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple depend on buses and private vehicles for their transportation.
“The scarcity of trains between the twin cities and the temple town has led to a heavy reliance on RTC buses, which charge passengers between 60 and 80 per trip. The MMTS services will provide a more affordable alternative, with fares ranging between 15 and 20. These services are expected to run at a frequency of 30 minutes and will enhance convenience for commuters. This project would be particularly advantageous for devotees residing in and around Malkajgiri, Lallaguda, Cherlapally, and Moula Ali. To maximise the benefits of the MMTS services, it is crucial for the railways to connect other parts of the city to Ghatkesar,” Suburban Train Travellers Association general secretary Noor Ahmed Ali said.
