16 lakh may use metro
Three years from now, about 16 lakh commuters are likely to travel by metro trains. Recent studies have revealed that the LB Nagar-Miyapur route is likely to witness the highest number of commuters (7.8 lakh) on the trains per day.

The fresh studies were commissioned by the traffic and transportation wing of the MCH on the proposed three Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) routes. A consultant conducted the studies a month ago. The latest reports have been submitted to the empowered institution appointed by the Centre for project clearance.

As per the report, on an average, about 4.91 lakh passengers would take the Habsiguda-Shilparamam (Madhapur) route, 3.06 lakh the JBS-Falaknuma and about 7.8 lakh would use the metro services on the L B Nagar-Miyapur route.

The MCH had to conduct fresh studies after the Centre refused to accept the data of 2003, made by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), to clear the project. The DMRC had done the traffic survey on just two routes, L B Nagar-Miyapur and Secunderabad (JBS)-Falaknuma.

Later, a study on the Habsiguda-Shilparamam route traffic flow was done in early 2006. "Traffic on the Habsiguda-Shilparamam route increased from 3.90 lakh to 4.91 lakh per day as we altered the route from Greenlands, Yousufguda, Jubilee Hills checkpost to Madhapur instead of via Punjagutta," MCH additional commissioner (traffic & transportation) N V S Reddy said.

Meanwhile, the Centre said that it would not bear the cost of land acquisition for the metro rail project and asked the state government to revise the Rs 8,760 crore MRTS budget. The state government had proposed the budget, including Rs 261 crore towards land acquisition, for metro rail stations and depots.

Of 265 acres required for stations, 222 acres is available with the state and central governments, and the shortfall of 43 acres has to be acquired from private parties.

The empowered institution appointed by the Centre told the state government to bear the land acquisition cost as it would be against norms to give funds under the viability gap fund. The traffic and transportation wing has also revised the total budget to Rs 8,482 by excluding the land acquisition cost.


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