HYDERABAD: There is no headway in discussions to extend Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) upto Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as part of the second phase.
Air passengers have been demanding extension of MMTS service to the airport from Umdanagar near Rajendra Nagar as the 3.5 stretch would give passengers and visitors a direct connectivity to the airport from various parts of the city.
Though discussions are in progress with Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow plying MMTS services upto airport, it is learnt that GMR authorities are reportedly hesitant regarding this project.
South Central Railway (SCR) general manager, Vinod Kumar Yadav on Tuesday stated that one section of the MMTS will be commissioned by December 2017 while the entire 96 km covering six stretches will be commissioned by December 2018. Yadav along with senior SCR officials undertook a media tour of MMTS Phase-II works where physical works are going at a brisk pace on Secunderabad-Moula Ali-Ghatkesar junction.
Explaining about the second phase of MMTS, the phyiscal work between Tellapur and Ramchandrapuram section covering a length of 5.75 km will be completed in next few months and trial runs would be carried out on this stretch. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the implementing authority, and SCR would approach Railway Safety commissioner, who deals with matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operations, for obtaining permission to commission the stretch.
Works on other stretches to be intensified
The progress on the other stretches would be intensified as the major hurdle of handing over of required land has been completed by the state government and also another major obstacle has been cleared as the Defence authorities have agreed to hand over the defence land laying the railway line on Sanatnagar-Moula Ali stretch.
RVNL Chief Project Manager, P Srinivas said that MMTS Phase-II a joint programme with the State Government and SCR aimed at easing the road traffic and provide affordable commuter transportation would be commissioned by 2018 covering six stretches.
The stretches include Secunderabad-Moulali-Ghatkesar, Secunderabad-Bolarum-Medchal, Falaknuma-Umdanagar-Airport, Moula Ali-Sanathnagar, Moulali-Malkajgiri-Sitafalmandi and Tellapur-Ramchandrapuram. Five new railway station are being constructed at Ferozguda, Suchitra Centre, Bhudevi Nagar, Neredmet and Moula Ali HB colony.
TS to bear 2/3rd of the cost
The project was sanctioned in 2012-13 costing ` 817 crore. It is being taken up on cost sharing basis with the state government of Telangana contributing two-thirds of the cost.