Centre denies funds, Naidu goes ahead with Metro
The project can be executed with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-09-05 05:12 GMT
Hyderabad: Unfazed by the Centre refusing to fund the projects, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked Delhi Metro Rail Corporation principal adviser E. Sreedharan to complete the first phase of Vijayawada Metro Rail Project by August 2018 and the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project by December 2018.
Discussing the funds required for the project, Mr Naidu informed Dr Sreedharan at their meeting at his chambers in the Assembly that the project can be executed with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency. Despite the Centre’s objection for financial assistance to the projects, Mr Naidu is going ahead with support from external financial agencies. The CM has suggested to the DMRC team to prepare a process chart which will enable the government to keep track of the progress of the Metro Rail project on a monthly basis.
He said “We should expedite the process of setting up a special purpose vehicle and appoint a permanent officer who will monitor the progress of the project.” Further, the CM also suggested to Sreedharan and his team of officials to expedite the process of procuring land for the project. The CM also asked Sreedharan to explore the possibility of Metro Rail Project for the capital city of Amaravati.
The CM told Sreedharan “We will meet again on Sept. 9 in Vijayawada and decide on when to lay the foundation stone and other issues related to the project.” Meanwhile, Mr Naidu asked Sreedharan to explore the possibility of Light Road Transport System in the state. Sharing his experiences about his Turkey trip, the CM said that the traffic management system in the country is efficient.
“Their road and rail systems are managed well. This has not only boosted tourist inflow in Turkey but also increased the per capita income of the country.” Stating that an expert like Sreedharan is required for urban planning in efficient transport management systems in the country, the CM asked the DMRC team to prepare a report which will estimate the growing population and its transport needs. Mr Naidu told them “I would suggest you visit countries like Turkey and others which have efficient transport systems.”