Metro Rail finds no mention.

Though the Union Budget for 2014 reiterates the Central government’s commitment to addressing issues pertaining to development in the AP Reorganisation Act, which paved the way for bifurcation of the State, the Metro Rail project for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada has not found any mention.

The budget has earmarked Rs.100 crore for Metro Rail projects in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

In the AP Reorganisation Act, the government has committed itself to the projects in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

However, Visakhapatnam is still in the process of finalising consultants for preparing the Detailed Project Report for the 25-km facility that is estimated to cost Rs.1.6 crore.

After a high-level meeting in Hyderabad and indications favouring an increase in the Metro coverage, it has been decided to introduce a pro rata hike in the fee for the additional coverage.

However, the preparation of the DPR and its final submission to the Central government is expected to take up to March 2015.

With the Finance Minister promising to accommodate the provisions made by various Ministries/departments to fulfil the objectives of the Centre, the next step can be taken up only after the DPR is submitted for clearance.

Metro proposal for Vijayawada too may take time, sources say.


THE HINDU