Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-I project has hit a roadblock, with Larsen & Toubro (L\&T), the company executing the project, seeking permission
to withdraw. It has urged the Union and Telangana governments to either take over the project or help resolve issues arising from the Phase-II project. According to media reports, Phase-II will run on Phase-I tracks, creating operational challenges for L\&T, which is currently facing significant losses, according to a meida report. The company is concerned that sharing the tracks could lead to cost and revenue-sharing conflicts. L\&T has also submitted a letter to Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, expressing its willingness to exit the 69.2 km network spanning three corridors. The Telangana government is planning Phase-II of its Metro project, once hailed as the country’s largest public-private partnership, reproted The New Indian Express. Also Read: Hyderabad to Bengaluru in Just 2 Hours! Bullet Train Dream Takes Shape — Check Length, Speed and More They fear cost and revenue-sharing issues if Phase-I and Phase-II trains continue to share the same tracks. On the other hand, the union government has asked Telangana to clarify aspects of the Phase-II plan, particularly regarding fare-sharing, electricity payments, and unresolved Phase-I concerns. Sources reveal that Telangana’s Chief Minister recently met with officials in Delhi to discuss these issues. L&T suggested either running Phase-I and Phase-II independently or handing over Phase-I operations entirely to the government due to ongoing losses. The Union Minister also inquired how the state plans to ensure seamless travel for passengers on the proposed Phase-II routes, including Miyapur–Patancheru, LB Nagar–Hayathnagar, and MGBS–Chandrayangutta.
