TRS, MIM delayed and retarded Rail project: Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad : Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir today accused the ruling TRS and its ally MIM of delaying the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project which consequently led to escalation of cost.

Speaking to media persons regarding the inauguration of first phase of 30 km out of 70 km of the Metro Rail corridor from Miyapur to Ameerpet and to Nagole on November 28, Shabbir Ali said that it was the previous Congress regime which conceived, designed and laid foundation of the project. He said that the Congress Government also did all financial linking and also got Central approvals. "TRS and MIM have only delayed the project by demanding the L&T concessionaire to change the route in front of Assembly, Sultan Bazar and also the Old City.

The Congress leader demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao should now seek an assurance from Prime Minister Narender Modi that the key arteries of the Metro Rail connecting Airport and Old City are completed ahead of schedule. The concession to L&T for 35 years includes the five years of construction. "If the Prime Minister and KCR fail to announce a firm schedule for completion of the left over works of the Metro Rail, the Congress party will launch a massive agitation along with the people living in the Old City, he said.

He also alleged that the MIM does not want the development of old city as it would lose its monopoly if Muslim youth are educated and Muslim women are empowered. With the sole aim of depriving Old City youth from growth opportunities, the MIM opposed Metro Rail in the area forcing the L&T to abandon Falaknuma region.