NEW DELHI: Hyderabad's Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) is not only going to be aesthetically designed but the construction work is expected to be faster besides providing the best `socio-economic right of returns' compared to other cities in the country.

The twin cities' terrain was ideal for taking up civil constructions and the right of way provided by means of taking up extensive road-widening on all the three proposed corridors was unprecedented, said Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Chief E. Sreedharan.

"Hyderabad is ideally poised for a safe, reliable and fast public transport that is sure to bring in a change in urban culture itself. Public is cooperative and ridership is also expected to be high," he told mediapersons on a study tour of Delhi Metro.

Much to learn

Dr. Sreedharan, credited with completing the prestigious project in record time, pointed out that since Hyderabad was going in for an elevated system, work could start simultaneously at different places.

Hyderabad MRTS Project Director N.V.S. Reddy, accompanying the media team, said there was much to learn from Delhi Metro. There will be better aesthetics as overhead power lines in Delhi will be put below in the twin cities. The `medium' carrying capacity and standard gauge finalisation will push the pace of work.

DMRC completed phase one of the project for 65 km at an estimated cost of Rs.10, 571 crores with two years and three months still left for the deadline of 10 years! It has done detailed project reports for two of the three corridors for Hyderabad. The last one, Habsiguda to Shilparamam, is under finalisation.

Speeding up of work

The DMRC Managing Director observed that the public-private partnership (PPP) model will also help in speeding up work with the involvement of private parties as "time is money, each day's delay will cost up to Rs. 84 lakh!" he explained.

Explaining the socio-economic right of returns rationale, he said it could be as high as 26 per cent for Hyderabad considering the reduction in vehicles on roads, accident rates, pollution and rise in property prices as it had happened in Delhi.

"In four years time, the money spent will come back to the society in different ways," he averred and urged "non-interference and statesmanship from politicians for such a difficult and major work because if the project is well done the credit goes to them." However, he was clear that the Government has to reorient bus routes with parallel services becoming feeder services plus a common ticket but also admitted that the Delhi Government was yet to implement a memorandum of understanding on the issue.

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