Metro to Hi-Tec City likely from Feb 15

Hyderabad: The Metro is likely to be extended to Hi-Tec City from February 15, as the trial runs on the route conducted during the last two months have been successful. The Metro Rail authorities have approached the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for the final permissions to go ahead with the extension. The authorities are said to be holding discussions with their counterparts in the commissioner’s office.

Although the extension was supposed to become operational in December or January, the fitness tests and safety aspects, besides certification, from the private agencies connected to the Communication Best Train Control (CBCT) are said to be the cause for the delays, according to Metro officials. The agencies are already stated to have expressed satisfaction over the safety aspect.

A team from the Railway ministry is also inspecting the Ameerpet-Hi-Tec City stretch, which is likely to be completed in a week’s time. Once it is done, the state government is expected to finalise the date for the inauguration to extend Metro Rail service to Hi-Tec City. The inauguration may take place after the expansion of the state cabinet scheduled on February 10. February 15 is the likely date by when all the inspections and permissions are expected to be completed.

The Metro Rail officials are making arrangements to run the service up to Jubilee Hills check-post and take trains further on a twin-single line system, since the track is not yet ready to pave the way for the last station of Hi-Tec City on the corridor 3 (Nagole – Hi-Tec City). The checks to facilitate the run have been successfully conducted.

To reach Hi-Tec City, the Metro Rail service will travel via Peddamma Temple, Madhapur and Durgam Cheruvu on two railway tracks and will return to Jubilee Hills Check-post Station to continue as usual. The single-line system is likely to be continued only till March. The Metro Rail officials said that the corridor is being extended by a kilometer to Raheja Mindspace. The works on the corridor is progressing at a brisk pace.

A special track is being laid to facilitate the train to take a turn from Cyber Towers and Trident Hotel, following the completion of the Metro Station at the Madhapur IT Corridor- Raheja Mindspace Junction. As the pillars have been completed, the viaducts are being fixed. Power supply towers are to be installed, so as to complete all the required works paving the way for corridor 3. Once the works are finished, the normal Hi-Tec City Metro Rail service is expected to run, according to officials.