Hyderabad: The successful implementation of Hyderabad’s Metro Rail project owes much to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh‘s support and vision, according to Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) MD NVS Reddy.
Reddy, who has been at the helm of HMRL since 2007, shared how the then PM’s backing proved crucial, particularly in establishing the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the project.
“Dr Manmohan Singh was a great supporter and proponent of the Hyderabad Metro Rail. He understood that India needed trillions of dollars for infrastructure development and championed PPP to involve the private sector in India’s growth story,” Reddy told TOI.
The project received significant support from the central govt under Singh’s tenure as PM, including financial assistance of Rs 1,639 crore through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
The former PM’s commitment remained steadfast even during challenging times, particularly during the Maytas scandal.
“When the first attempt failed and we faced criticism, the Planning Commission under Dr Singh’s leadership provided full support,” Reddy recalled.
“Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, then deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, encouraged us to initiate this project, and Dr Singh himself endorsed that all Metro Rail projects in India should follow the Hyderabad model,” he said.
Eventually, despite the setback caused by corporate governance failures in Satyam which affected the Maytas bid, the project later took off with L&T and was launched in Nov 2017.
“We are grateful to Dr Manmohan Singh. Today, Hyderabad Metro Rail stands as a unique project and one of a kind to have mass transit in PPP mode,” Reddy said.
He added that the success story of Hyderabad Metro was made possible through the combined efforts of several people including then urban development minister Jaipal Reddy and united Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy under the leadership of PM Singh, who recognised the potential of Hyderabad long before many.
