Many considered L&T’s announced exit from the Hyderabad Metro rail project as an ominous sign for the public transport system’s future. This comes especially after the state government announced a key line that will connect the metro into the heart of the Old City near the Charminar as part of its second phase.
Even though the Telangana government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy began talking about the metro’s new line in the Old City, it looks like there will be a long wait before any expansion happens. That, and the much-needed new airport line, now feel like distant dreams for the city.The Funding Standoff
As of now, the state is still figuring out how it will fully take over from L&T, given the funding requirements of the massive project. After L&T announced its exit from the project last year, the Telangana government was left on its own. Despite several meetings with the Centre, it was only about a month ago that the central government agreed to help the state devise a financial plan for the project.
Prior to this, Revanth Reddy even accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre of creating hurdles to attain a Rs 13,600 crore loan from the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). Essentially, after the 69.2 kilometre phase 1 line, Telangana has been struggling to get any approval for our metro expansion.Andhra Pradesh’s Quiet Progress
