Voluntary groups demand transparency in Hyderabad Metro Rail projects
Several voluntary organisations have called for greater transparency and public engagement in Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) projects, urging the government to immediately release key financial
Several voluntary organisations have called for greater transparency and public engagement in Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) projects, urging the government to immediately release key financial and planning documents related to both Phase I and proposed Phase II. The organisations — including the Urban Development Forum, Citizens for Better Public Transport, and the Hyderabad Citizens Forum — on Wednesday demanded that a comprehensive financial statement for Phase I, audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), be made public.
They also sought disclosure of various studies conducted for Phase II, particularly those related to ridership projections. In a joint statement, the groups emphasised the need for public consultations with residents and stakeholders along the seven proposed metro corridors under Phase II. They said such consultations are essential to ensure that the project reflects the needs and concerns of the communities it aims to serve. The organisations further called upon the government to disclose details of the revenue-sharing arrangement with L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), the private concessionaire involved in the project.
They also proposed the introduction of income-linked fare concessions for economically vulnerable groups, including daily wage workers, students and senior citizens, to make metro travel more affordable and inclusive. Raising concerns over the viability of the proposed expansion, convenor M. Srinivas questioned whether HMR Phase II ridership projections were realistic considering that HMR Phase has not achieved even half of the ridership targets set at the time of its launch. He also highlighted the absence of a clear plan to improve first- and last-mile connectivity to metro stations, an issue he said continues to affect commuter convenience and overall ridership.
The organisations urged the government to address these concerns transparently before proceeding further with the HMR Phase II project.
The BriefWire