Govt Examining Elevated Bus Rapid Transport In City: KTR

Hyderabad, March 11 (Maxim News): Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao said State Assembly today that State government is examining possibility of developing an elevated Bus Rapid Transport System or a tramway between JNTU junction and Hitec City to ease traffic on the stretch. He said the government will give priority for improving public transport system as part of the recently announced Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration project with a massive budget of Rs 10,000 crore.

Replying to questions raised by the members, he said that efforts are being made to expand the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) operations. He said a detailed project report is under examination for the proposed Airport Metro Express corridor and a decision in this regard will be taken shortly. Proposals have already been sent to L&T for introducing passes for Hyderabad Metro Rail for convenience of regular commuters, and plans are also afoot to extend the Metro Rail operations for more hours.

The Minister said that to provide last mile connectivity, the HMR is collaborating with TSRTC and also setting up last mile feeders as well as bicycle stations. “To address the parking problem, we have already provided space for 20,000 two-wheelers and 400 four-wheelers. Efforts are on to construct 20 multi-level car parking lots and tenders will be invited shortly,” he added.

In reply to another question, the Minister said the 5 km stretch of Corridor-II of Metro Rail project between MGBS and Falaknuma in the Old City was under progress, while the rest of the Phase-I of the project has been completed. He pointed out that 93 religious and sensitive structures were existing on this stretch and 18 of them were to be affected due to road widening and Metro Rail alignment.

“However, we saved all these structures through engineering solutions. We will soon take up land acquisition for the projects and seek the cooperation of the local MLAs in resolving issues arising out of it for smooth progress of the project,” he told the members from old City.

He also said that a study is on to extend metro rail from MGBS to Falaknuma stretch. The Government is keen on extending the metro rail facility, besides development in the old city. He also stated that huge funds were allocated in the budget for development of old city, Musi river purification and other in the city. ‘With the blessings of Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao, the city got good funds, he said and thanked KCR for the same. (Maxim News)