Let us know in detail about the uniqueness of the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project. How this project is regarded as one of the construction marvel of the country?
L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMHRL) envisions creating “THE METRO RAIL EXPERIENCE”, deriving pride from exemplary service, enhancing value to all stakeholders and achieving progress through partnerships. LTMRHL is committed to enhance the quality of life for the people through sustainable transport network, integrated with vibrant urban spaces, thereby fostering a culture of caring, learning and innovation driven by strong ethics and values. The project is being implemented by the Government of Telangana on PPP mode under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) format. The bidding process conformed to the guidelines of the Government of India (Ministry of Urban Development, Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance). The Concession Agreement was signed by the SPV, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited, with the then Government Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) on 4th September 2010.
It is one of the world’s largest PPP projects in the Metro Sector. It involves construction of around 72 km of elevated metro rail in three corridors crisscrossing the city of Hyderabad. Eco friendly elevated Metro Stations will be located at intervals of roughly a kilometre.
The largest PPP model in metro sector is a pioneering concept adopted for the first time in the world. LTMRHL has taken a quantum leap from the concept of client & contractor to the role of a concessionaire. LTMRHL will be a harbinger on the global platform of metro rail and open new vistas for the Indian economy.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Project involves construction of around 72 km of elevated metro rail in three corridors crisscrossing the city of Hyderabad. Eco friendly elevated Metro Stations will be located at intervals of roughly a kilometer.
Corridor I: Miyapur to L B Nagar – 27 Stations
Corridor II: JBS to Falaknuma – 16 Stations
Corridor III:n Nagole to Shilparamam – 23 Stations
This project will change the face of Hyderabad in a multi-faceted manner. Some of the salient features are listed below.
Salient Features:
- Green eco-friendly mode of travel – reduces carbon emission, fuel consumption and pollution
- Faster, safer and comfortable air conditioned travel with reduced travel time
- Seamless commuting with ultra-modern coaches
- Connects major offices, retail and residential areas
- High frequency of trains – reduced waiting time
- User-friendly elevated world-class stations with lifts, staircases and facilities for the disabled
- Parking facility at strategic locations along the route in the designated P&C areas
- Automatic ticket vending machines and automatic fare collection system
- Feeder buses to stations from different areas of the city
- Commuter-friendly shopping facilities at the concourse level at stations
Once completed, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project will transform Hyderabad into one of India’s most preferred cities, with integrated urban transport planning using inter-modal connectivity and convenient sky-walks, which will mark the beginning of an era of seamless commuting in India.
Can you brief us about the hurdles came in the way during the implementation & execution process?
Major Challenges:
Alignment fixation in a highly urbanized area (Sharp curves gradients etc.)
- Technology selection – modern/latest vs. proven.
- Long bridges and spans on junctions and railway crossings.
- Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS).
- Obsolescence management.
- Interface management between various systems (Rolling Stock, Signaling, Track & Traction etc.,) and civil works.
- Adaptation/ modifications to designs to suit unknown utilities and other obstructions.
- Another challenge is the availability of technically trained manpower.
- Right of Way.
- Property acquisition.
- Shifting of utilities
To execute this project what are the ideas, innovations and technologies implemented?
The strategically placed Metro stations will see a lot of footfalls and this will create a unique and innovative business environment, as local businesses will see an increase in sales and customer-base. The eco-friendly HMR stations will have dedicated places for retail outlets, promoting local businesses and entrepreneurs. The area surrounding the Metro stations will have centres for social gatherings and interactions, thereby giving impetus to local shopkeepers and retail stores.
Modern technologies in rolling stock, signalling, tracks & traction have been selected for adoption and we are geared up for absorption and integration of these technologies in the L&T Metro. Future expansion of the project as foreseen and up gradation based on the rise in ridership has also been considered. Our main focus is on life cycle costing, development of an efficient and lean organization for O&M and building its capability in a structured manner.
Important Technical Features:
The trains will be using Regenerative Electric Braking thereby converting the momentum into electrical energy and feeding back to power supply system while braking. As a contribution towards the CDM this will reduce the energy requirement from the grid.
- The advanced signaling & Train Control technology, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), is adopted for Hyderabad Metro to control the trains. Hyderabad Metro would be first in India to claim train control by CBTC.
- Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is using ‘Track Master’ – A unique instrument for checking the parameters of Track and to enhance the quality of track installation. This has been procured from M/s. Trimble USA. This instrument is being used in India for the second time after Chennai; L&T is the first to introduce this technology in India, both in Chennai & Hyderabad.
- Simulation Study based Track design: This type of designing the Track is being adopted for the first time in the Country. In this process, prior to the Track design, the probable speed of train in a particular stretch is determined by carrying out a simulation study. Based on this data the Track is accordingly designed only for that particular speed in that particular stretch. This avoids designing the Track for much higher speeds than required.
This process has the following advantages:
- Better ride comfort to the passengers.
- Reduces the Rail and Wheel wear.
III. Reduces loading on the Viaduct and
- Increases the productivity in Track installation.
Inform us about the budgeting involved and the company which has been granted the contract for it along with Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd?
The total cost of the project is ₹14,132 crores. Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is being implemented by the Government of Telangana on PPP mode under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) format. The bidding process conformed to the guidelines of the Government of India (Ministry of Urban Development, Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance). The Concession Agreement was signed by the SPV, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited, with the then Government Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) on 4th September 2010.
Let us know that in what way Hyderabad Metro Rail Project will help in the growth of the Indian economy?
Improving infrastructure is the key to India’s and other developing country’s growth and development. Public Transport mechanism in a highly populated country like India is often complex and has to operate in framework of strict rules and regulations by the Government. Any successful model in public transport is a significant achievement. Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is definitely one such unique PPP model that would set an example to the world and boost the economy of the country. Better infrastructure always attracts investors globally.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is the “World’s Largest Public-Private Partnership Project in the Metro Sector”. Cities are modern day nerve centers of growth. They are magnets for capital and for large, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic groups of people. Cities can generate an energy that can transform communities and accelerate the pace of progress. Metros as Mass Rapid Transport Systems (MRTS) are enablers that help cities to realize their full potential for growth and development.
Efficient project execution and O&M strategies in developing world class metro railway networks, employment generation and skill development are significant features of this model, resulting in overall economic development.
