Date:29/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/29/stories/2007072954270600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

ORR phase I project on track

Second phase of ORR set to take off in September
Most of the land acquisition for phase II completed

HYDERABAD: Though dogged by intermittent hurdles and protests, the mega Outer Ring Road (ORR) project is firmly on track.

With all the minor issues that stalled the ORR phase I work in some stretches near APPA, Chilkur reserve forest, Urdu University, HUDA colony, and graveyards being resolved and land handed over for the project, there are no more obstacles to ensure four-lane connectivity to the International Airport through the 24 km ORR first phase from Gachibowli to Shamshadbad .

“But the hurdles pushed the schedule behind by two months. Instead of December this year, the four lane connectivity would be provided by March, 2008 in time for the commencement of the International Airport at Shamshabad,” said ORR Project Director Piyush Kumar.

Connectivity to airport

The Phase I work being executed by two international companies commenced in July 2006 with a time frame of 30 months to provide eight-lane connectivity.

“However it was decided to focus on providing four-lane speedway first to provide connectivity to the Shamshabad Airport. Though the basic road would be ready by March, 2008, access control features like underpasses, culverts, clover-leaf junctions would take some more time as some existing structures would have to be removed for critical junctions,” Mr.Piyush Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the second phase of ORR for which four developers were selected for five packages through international competitive bidding is set to take off in September.

Most of the land acquisition for phase II was completed and 80 per cent of land losers were agreeable to the special compensation package announced by the Government.

In the case of others general award would be implemented for taking over the land.

Three of the four developers have signed the development agreement and sought 60 days for mobilisation of equipment and personnel, he said.

The 61.8 km ORR Phase II A from Shamshabad to Pedda Amberpet and Narsingi to Patancheru to be taken up under annuity model would require HUDA to pay 25 per cent of the total cost amounting to about Rs.350 crore.

However, only 10 per cent of the total cost, i.e. Rs.100 crores, would have to be paid by September and that would not be a problem as HUDA has lined up some ventures to raise the resources, Mr.Kumar said.