L&T CEO, Shankar Raman Reveals Plans to Sell Hyderabad Metro After 2026
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metro facing financial trouble due to low ridership and limited resources. The scheme, which offers free bus facility to women made huge impact on the Hyderabad Metro’s average ridership. Hyderabad Metro is partially owned by Larsen and Toubro (L &T).
In a recent interview with Business Today TV, R Shankar Raman, President and CEO of L &T, revealed that company is planning to sell off Hyderabad metro after 2026. “Despite holding a 65 year concession to run Metro system in the city of Hyderabad, we currently have around 4.75 to 4.8 lakh people per day using the Metro network. We need to make sure that this number goes up by at least another 1 lakh people. We need to lighten the debt burden of this project. Because of the current level of ridership, we are able to negotiate successfully with the government for a 3,000 Crore soft loan to be repaid over time without any interest.” Said Raman.
Check this video clip of Business Today’s interview with Shankar Raman: https://youtu.be/Vos5eRi2f-g?si=6Z6y72cpY1ec6Hpn&t=204
For the question asked about, do you think at some point the free bus offered by the state government will kind of even out as far as your ridership numbers are concerned.? . Raman replied: It made Metro ridership less interesting because it has taken away the women from the compartments. Since the women are occupying the buses and the number of buses has not increased, the men from buses are moving into the the railway wagons. So there is a gender distribution that is happening in the transportation system. Buses are being used by women who pay nothing and Metro is used by men will pay 35 rupees on an average per ticket.
“TSRTC also facing losses”
Raman also said that TSRTC is also struggling with the scheme provided by state government. This scheme significantly strained TSRTC’s finances. Due to free bus buses are becoming overcrowded with passengers. And the increasing maintenance costs will put RTC in financial collapse. With majority of commuters enjoying free rides, how does TSRTC will maintain and repair the buses every 5 years.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
