L&T, HMRL deny kickbacks to CM

• Refute charges of financial irregularities by KCR
• Express willingness to face any probe into the matter
• Commissioning of the first phase on March 21, 2015

Refuting allegations of irregularities in executing the Metro Rail Project in Hyderabad, Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) said they are ready for any probe.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, L&T Metro Rail CEO and Managing Director V B Gadgil and HMRL Managing Director NVS Reddy said that a few individuals were trying to distract them day in and day out. They vowed that they would not be cowed down in anyway and affirmed that the prestigious project would be completed as per schedule.

Gadgil and Reddy were reacting to the recent allegations made by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had received kickbacks from L&T and that valuable land was being taken away in the name of the project.

Gadgil said that there was no truth in the allegations. L&T was known for its ethics. No money was exchanged nor was any extra cent of land given to them. He said all relevant documents were available for public scrutiny and added that many allegations were levelled against the project in the last five years and all were proved wrong. All details were provided to some opposition leaders, he said.

“It’s not our culture to bribe and get projects. L&T has been in the market for the last 75 years, and completed several big projects successfully across the globe without any controversy,” he said. He further said that even the sub-contracts were given through international biddings. He added that the elevated Metro Rail and alignment of the three Metro Rail corridors were frozen much before the tenders were opened for bidding.

NVS Reddy clarified that before handing over the project to L&T, it was agreed to allot a total land of 269 acres. The HMR was yet to hand over 23 acres. Of the total land acquired between Miyapur and Uppal, HMR had to spend an amount of Rs 300 crore and the remaining land of 57 acres that was being obtained belonged to the government at Old Gandhi Hospital and other areas.

Reddy said that L&T was yet to get the possession of land at Osmania University, Sultan Bazaar, ESI, Habsiguda, NIN etc. These lands were locked in various litigations.

Both Gadgil and Reddy exuded confidence that the first stage of the project between Nagole and Mettuguda would be commissioned on March 21, 2015.

To queries about the impact of State’s division on the project, Gadgil said that given the Hyderabad’s geographical structure, weather and infrastructure and logistic like PVNR Expressway, ORR and RGIA, the city had an inherent capacity for growth.