Shamirpet-Keesara ORR works to resume

Fresh bids have been floated by the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) for completing the works on the 10.3 km stretch between Shamirpet and Keesara of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The remaining work of the eight-lane expressway would be access-controlled. The last date for submission of bids is September 19 and it would be opened on the same day. The work hit a roadblock more than three years ago. In April, the previous state government terminated the contract with United Gulf Construction Company (UGCC), Kuwait.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would provide financial assistance of Rs 190.62 crore to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) for the project. After finalising the contract, the stretch of the ORR would be operational within a span of 18 to 24 months.

Currently, traffic runs on a 120 km stretch of the ORR between Pedda Amberpet and Shamirpet via Shamshabad and Patancheru.

It can be recalled that the HMDA had slapped a three-page contract termination notice on the UGCC as failed to complete the works before March 31 despite warnings. On the day the notice was issued, works worth Rs 100 crore were still pending.

The HGCL and the UGCC had signed an agreement for the project on March 25, 2010. Due to constant pressure by the HGCL authorities, the company was successful in completing 40 per cent of the project works. Unhappy with the pace of the works, the HGCL had terminated the contract in November 2013. However, following former CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s intervention, the deadline was extended to March 31.

The final works under Phase II was divided into three packages -- Shamirpet-Keesara, Keesara-Ghatkesar and Ghatkesar-Pedda Amberpet. “Though works on the other two stretches was also delayed, they are expected to be completed by month-end,” officials said.