Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Metro rail: meet raises several doubts

HYDERABAD: A round table on the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, organised by the city unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) questioned the government’s sincerity in its implementation and felt that it was yet another move to exploit real estate and make money.

The bidding process and the huge variations in the proposals submitted by various bidders indicated the ulterior motives of the project, they felt and added that the secret manner in which the process was done only strengthened their feelings. The meeting was attended by B.V. Raghavulu, CPI (M) State secretary, K. Vijayarama Rao, TDP Greater Hyderabad president, K. Ramakrishna of CPI, C. Ramachandraiah of CESS and K. Kesava Rao of business associations federation.

Mr. Raghavulu questioned the government as to why it was hesitating to talk to the stakeholders like the common man, land owners and businessmen who will be affected.

He demanded that the documents including the bidding process be made public and put to debate.

Mr. Vijayarama Rao demanded that the process of bidding be reviewed as the huge variations in the submitted bids made the process look suspicious.

C. Ramachandraiah, convenor, Citizens for Better Public Transport in Hyderabad said the government was secretive about the project and not willing to part with any information even under the RTI Act.

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