Delhi Metro success story has inspired similar projects in the south
of India.
The question now arises which city will get the Metro first? Will it
be Bangalore, Kochi or Hyderabad?

Bangalore Metro delayed

Bangalore Metro is running several months behind schedule and is
caught in court
cases. The Bangalore metro rail corporation has recently invited
tenders for two
legs of the tracks from Mysore road terminus to Magadi road and from
Yeshwanthpur terminus to Swastik. The date of opening for these
tenders is August 14.

Hyderabad Metro on track

The Hyderabad Metro seems to be on track with Maytas bagging the
project this
week while Chennai attracted Rs 800 crore for its Metro. Chennai Metro
rail
project cost is Rs 1,1124 crore and will be completed by 2013-2014.
The Planning
commission has given it's nod whereas Centre's sanction is awaited.

The Chennai Metro rail and Centre will contribute 40% of the cost. It
has
recently received approval for Rs 8646 crore loan from Japanese fund.
The
announcement will be made by Japan's foreign minister this week.

Maytas led consortium bagged Hyderabad Metro rail project. The
consortium
includes Navbharat Ventures, Ital Thai and IL&FS. The project cost is
Rs 12,000
crore. The consortium did not seek Viability Gap Funding. It has
offered Rs
30,000 crore as royalty over span of 35 years. The project is expected
to be completed in five years.

Kochi metro takes shape

The Kochi Metro project too seems to be on track. The project that was
first
mooted over 10 years ago, is finally taking shape. The Delhi Metro
rail
corporation, headed by E Shreedharan has agreed to construct the Kochi
Metro
after receiving a request from the Kerala government. The Kerala
government is
now in the process of widening roads and acquiring land for the
project.
However, some confusion still persists on the fund sharing for this Rs
2500-crore project.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/hbad-blore-kochi-whic...
-get-metro-rail-first/16/36/351261

Sat, Aug 09 at 12:36