Page 68 - Construction_Opportunities_December_2024

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INFRASTRUCTURE Hyderabad Metro Phase 2 will initially focus on 76.4 kilometers Phase 2 will feature the city’s first double-decker flyover, a
HYDERABAD METRO PHASE-2 TO PRIORITIZE 76KM
STRETCH; FOURTH CITY CORRIDOR ON HOLD.
1.6-kilometer stretch combining Metro viaduct and flyover near
Madinaguda. “We have requested the National Highways Authority
of India (NHAI) to halt flyover construction temporarily to allow
across five corridors, reducing the originally planned 116.4
Metro work to proceed simultaneously,” said Reddy. Additionally,
kilometers, with the fourth city Metro connection of 40 kilometers
placed on hold, officials confirmed. The revised Phase 2 is
Metro work will be done on the left service lane of nearly six flyovers
being constructed by NHAI between LB Nagar and Hayathnagar.
expected to serve around eight lakh passengers daily upon
completion. “We have strategically prioritized these five corridors,
girders, a modern construction technique that allows for faster
focusing on immediate urban mobility needs and technical
feasibility, as per the government’s recommendations,” said NVS The project timeline has been expedited using the “double U”
building compared to the box girders used in Phase 1.
Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited Challenges remain in the northern corridor, which currently doesn’t
(HAML). “Detailed project reports for these corridors are finalized, meet the Union government’s 90% right-of-way requirement,
and we are set to begin work by January 2025.” delaying the planned extension to Medchal.
The project’s proposal, along with detailed reports, has been On the financial front, Reddy noted a significant improvement
submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in the project’s financing model. “Under the earlier Public-Private
(MoHUA) for technical and financial review. Initial work will begin Partnership (PPP) model, we faced a 10% interest rate, leading to
with the expansion of the 7.5-kilometer Old City corridor, from MBGS an annual interest burden of `1,300 crore. Now, under the joint
to Chandrayangutta. Preliminary land acquisition notifications venture (JV) model, we have access to funding at a much lower
for 500 plots have already been issued, with construction work 2% interest rate, with loans repayable over 40 years, providing
expected to commence by the end of the year. more financial flexibility for quality service delivery,” he said.

HARYANA CM INAUGURATES NEW RAILWAY OVERBRIDGE He also took the opportunity to criticize the Congress party,
IN HISAR. accusing it of obstructing development projects and enabling
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the corruption. “Congress has consistently tried to halt progress with lies
new Railway Over Bridge and Railway Under Bridge from Jindal and supported corruption,” Khattar remarked, labeling the party’s
Chowk to Surya Nagar in Hisarrecently. The 1,185-meter-long and efforts as detrimental to the state’s growth. The CM further shared
10.5-meter-wide bridge will improve connectivity between Sector 1 on social media that the bridge, constructed at a cost of `79.40
and Sector 4 of Surya Nagar. During the inauguration, CM Khattar crore, would alleviate traffic congestion in Hisar and enhance the
highlighted the project as a testament to the BJP government’s city’s infrastructure. “This bridge will provide significant relief from
commitment to development. “This bridge is a reflection of our traffic jams, improve road conditions, and boost development in
government’s promise to accelerate development. Prime Minister Hisar,” he added. The new bridge, a part of ongoing infrastructure
Narendra Modi has set a remarkable pace of progress for the development in the region, is expected to ease the flow of traffic,
nation,” he stated. benefiting daily commuters and residents alike.

TENDERS ISSUED FOR NEW RAILWAY ZONE OFFICE IN The Waltair division of ECoR is a significant revenue generator,
VIZAG. contributing over `10,000 crore in revenue in the 2023-24 fiscal
The Indian Railways has taken a major step towards year, nearly 50% of the total revenue for the East Coast Railway.
operationalising the new South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone in This strong financial foundation underscores the economic
Andhra Pradesh by issuing tenders for the construction of the importance of the Waltair division and supports the establishment
General Manager’s office complex in Visakhapatnam. With of the new zone.
an estimated investment of Rs. 149 crore, the office complex Visakhapatnam, as the proposed headquarters for the SCoR,
will be built on a 50-acre plot of land near Mudasarlova in offers strategic advantages with its proximity to major ports like
Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, and Krishnapatnam,
Although the SCoR zone was first announced in 2019, its all vital for cargo and trade. The city also boasts a large land bank
implementation was delayed due to challenges, including for future development, including the largest locomotive shed
the previous Andhra Pradesh government’s failure to provide and an advanced coach maintenance depot, further cementing
the necessary land. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had its role as a key railway hub.
previously pointed to these land acquisition issues as the cause The city’s rapid growth and its status as one of Asia’s fastest-
of the delays. The new zone’s headquarters will be located in growing urban centres, along with its infrastructure support for the
Visakhapatnam, which is part of the Waltair division of the East Eastern Naval Command, BHEL, HPCL, and other key industries,
Coast Railway (ECoR). positions Visakhapatnam to benefit greatly from the new railway
For several decades, there has been a demand for the zone. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the
establishment of a dedicated railway zone in Andhra Pradesh, in need for a dedicated railway zone in the state became evident,
line with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, which as the headquarters of the South Central Railway is currently
promised a new railway zone for the state. The zone will consist of located in Secunderabad, Telangana. The creation of the new
the Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions, along with part zone will address this gap and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s
of the Waltair division. railway infrastructure.

68 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|DECEMBER 2024