Telangana: L&T officials skip HMRL meeting

Hyderabad: The absence of L&T Metro Rail officials from a crucial meeting held recently by the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has raised speculations. The meeting discussed train prices, new numbering of metro pillars and also beautification of every 5th pillar of the metro rail. Interestingly, L&T Metro Rail has already numbered all the pillars according to the areas in which they are located.

According to HMRL, the new alpha-numeric numbering is to be linked to Google maps, hence, it holds significance. But all the pillars are already numbered and will that remain or be erased is the question. There are billboards also on the main routes at Secunderabad, Yusufguda and Kukatpally. The new proposals of beautification and new numbering of the pillars have not drawn any reaction from L&T Metro Rail, according to sources, as they are concentrating on completing the works.

L&T Metro Rail officials, however, have refused to comment on the subject. A senior officer said, “There are too many tasks being taken up at the last minute and to make it into a reality will take time. The company is not interested in these matters. It is trying to complete the project and make it operational by November, so that the benefits could be reaped soon. As it is a private-public partnership project, the company has a lot more at stake.” The Hyderabad Metro, the biggest PPP project in the metro rail, is expected to inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the end of November on the invitation of the Telangana government.