Vijayawada: The appointment of E. Sreedharan as the adviser for the metro rail project is widely being seen as an important development in the implementation of the project. Many opine that the move shows the state government’s commitment to the project.
However, the ground realities are different and Mr Sreedharan’s appointment does not automatically remove the doubts about the project’s viability.
“Doubts remain whether the project is suitable for the city or not,” a senior official in the railways department said on condition of anonymity. “The traffic movement and cost is important in the implementation of the project,” he said.
As per estimates, about Rs 50 crore would be needed for each kilometre of the metro rail project. How would the government manage to mobilise the funds to implement such a massive project?” wondered city Congress president Meesala Rajeswara Rao. He accused the state government of trying to garner publicity by announcing various mega projects.
On the other hand, divisional railway manager P. Pradeep Kumar said that the metro rail would be very much welcome if the city is indeed chosen for the state capital. However, Mr Kumar said that acquisition of land may play a key role in the implementation of the projecdt. “The Centre’s financial support is must,” he opined.
Former Samata Party national president V.V. Krishna Rao said that the appointment of Mr Sreedharan as adviser for the metro rail project means that the process has been initiated and it may be completed under the PPP mode.
