HMR Phase 1 handover probably subsequent yr as L&Ts 15-year Metro journey nears finish

L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), which constructed and has been working Phase 1 of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) throughout 69.2 km in three high-density corridors, is anticipated at hand over operations to the Telangana Government inside the subsequent six months to a yr.

This marks the top of a 15-year-long public-private partnership (PPP)— as soon as hailed because the world’s largest elevated metro rail challenge underneath the PPP mannequin — and brings to an in depth a fancy and infrequently turbulent relationship between L&T and successive governments.

Officials sources indicated that Chief Secretary Ok. Ramakrishna Rao performed a key position in breaking the ice with L&T’s prime administration, guaranteeing the ball is again within the Centre’s court docket to approve a Joint Venture (JV) with the State Government for HMR part 2 of 76.4 km and estimated to price ₹24,269 crore.

Concerns have already been raised in regards to the continuity of operations throughout the Red Line (LB Nagar–Miyapur), Blue Line (Nagole–Raidurg), and Green Line (JBS–MGBS) as soon as the federal government — probably by way of its particular goal car, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) — takes over. However, these considerations could also be unfounded.

L&TMRH has outsourced operations and upkeep to Keolis, a French multinational headquartered in Paris, since inception. Keolis, which additionally operates metro methods in London, Dubai, Paris, and lately Pune, is anticipated to be retained post-handover.

Despite monetary losses, L&TMRH is credited with working a decent and environment friendly operation, sustaining clear infrastructure, minimal breakdowns, and excessive service frequency. The Keolis contract runs till November 2026, and the handover timeline is prone to align with this.

Keolis manages 57 trainsets, metro infrastructure, CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) methods, and contributes to 80% of the digital ticketing options. HMR boasts over 99.5% punctuality and a 90%+ passenger satisfaction price, making it one of many best-rated metro networks in India.

It should be famous that L&T was awarded the HMR challenge by the then Andhra Pradesh Government, signing the Concession Agreement (CA) on Sept 4, 2010, nicely earlier than the state’s bifurcation. Financial closure was achieved in a document six months on March 1, 2011, with a ₹11,000 crore mortgage sanctioned by a consortium of 10 banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) — the most important fund tie-up for a non-power infrastructure PPP challenge in India on the time. Official sources additionally state that the challenge’s journey displays how public coverage shifts can impression massive infrastructure ventures, even when backed by public sector funding.