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MMTS II late
MMTS II late. The MMTS Phase II which was set to complete in two-and-a-half years with a budget of Rs 819 crore, hasn’t even started.
• One year passed, not even the foundation stone is laid
• Only 60 cr released for the 819 cr project
• The Phase II project to have more car-rakes than the existing fleet
The MMTS Phase II which was set to complete in two-and-a-half years with a budget of Rs 819 crore, hasn’t even started. The key bodies have only released Rs 60 cr for the project. However, the nodal agency authorities state that the initial clearance and layouts would take time and once the project kicks off, the works would be completed before the deadline, which was quite unlikely.
The much delayed Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) Phase II works are now plagued by lack of funds. The project which was set to complete in two-and-a-half years with a budget of Rs 819 crore, hasn’t even started, yet. It has been more than a year now and doubts are being raised whether the Phase II works, for which not even the foundation stone has been laid, will complete before the deadline.
Fingers are pointed at the lack of disbursal of funds from the state government as well as the South Central Railway (SCR). The state government had to share two-thirds of the total cost of the project and thus far it has released only Rs 30 crore. While, the SCR which is operating the project through its subsidiary Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) had to bear the remaining one-third of the cost. Incidentally, even the SCR authorities have also shelled out only Rs 30 crore.
After much delay the RVNL has finalised the consortium of UK-based Balfour Beatty and Kalindee Nirman as the successful bidder to take up Phase II works. The tenders were invited on April 11, 2013, and were opened on May 22, 2013.
The Phase II works would be taken up in three packages which also include the quadrupling of track for the sections between Ghatkesar-Moula Ali and patch doubling between Moula Ali-Sitaphalmandi.
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In an earlier interview P Srinivas, Chief Project Manager, RVNL, said that if the firm failed to complete the work within the set deadline, penalty would be levied and even the contract would be terminated.
The proposals for the MMTS Phase II works were made way back in 2005. But the approval and the finances were given in the Union Railway Budget for the financial year 2012-13. Last year, RVNL was entrusted with the job of taking up the work and it had undertaken a detailed survey across the eight routes extending to more than 100 km.
Speaking about meeting the deadline and delay in the works, Srinivas said, “The survey of land and its acquisition and other related works are at the first stage and the state government has given its share of Rs 30 crore till now and is expected to disburse remaining before March 31 for the current financial year (2013-2014). It will take time in the initial stages, as we have to ensure the standards and structural stability. We are confident that once the project kick-starts, works will go on at a brisk pace.”
12-car-rake service
The SCR authorities say that there are plans to increase the number of car rakes. “MMTS commuters can look forward to a hassle-free journey. In view of the demand for more services, efforts are being made to make the existing nine-car-rake MMTS service to 12-car-rake service in the second Phase,” said SCR General Manager PK Srivastava. “Already, a requisition has been sent to the Railway Board for increasing the number of rakes. Though it is a tough task, we will push for the board’s approval,” Srivastava added.
Airport connectivity
Rail connectivity project for the 6.5-km distance between the airport and Umdanagar station was estimated at a cost of Rs 30 crore, a couple of years ago. Of the total length, nearly 2.5 km is through the airport land, which is under GMR.
Following the clearance, RVNL conducted a feasibility study from the Umdanagar end. The authorities found it feasible to take up the project at the identified spot, and a final approval meeting would be held involving RVNL, South Central Railway (SCR), the State government and the airport authorities this month. Once approved, tenders would be called for the project, which was expected to cost Rs 50 crore.
