PUNE: The Government of Telangana announced on Monday, November 9, that the consultancy for Metro Neo Project at Warangal district has been awarded to the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro). The government noted that the main reason for awarding the job to Maha-Metro was their ‘experience, capability and innovative solutions in providing economical, safe, reliable rubber type Metro rail.’ A presentation was made during a high-power meeting in Hyderabad by Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maha-Metro and Mahesh Kumar, Director (Project), Maha-Metro in the presence of KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Government of Telangana.
The average cost of metro projects being constructed by other states is Rs 250 crore per km while the same project being implemented by Maha Metro is costing only Rs 180 crore per km. The construction cost of Metro Neo will cost just Rs 72 crore per km.
At a recent meeting in Delhi by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the “cost-effective” solution called “Metro Neo” was accepted for Tier II and Tier III cities. It can also be adopted for Tier I cities as a feeder service.
The central government, in August, formed a committee under the chairpersonship of Dixit to standardise detailed specifications for Rubber-Tyre Mass Rapid Transportation System (MRTS) with a view to implement it across India. After concluding the DPR work for Thane and the Metro Neo project for Nashik, the Maha-Metro has bagged the DPR work in Telangana. As a part of the project, the length of bus coaches will be 18 m or 25 m, with a carrying capacity of 200 to 300 passengers. The buses run on rubber-tyre and draw power from overhead electric wires similar to a railway system.