BL reported that Andhra Pradesh Government is keen to commence work on the Hyderabad Metro Rail project by May 2010 after selecting the successful bidder.

According to plans, the State Government is stepping up efforts to expedite the project and complete it by 2014. The idea is to partly make up for the lost time. The project cost was pegged at INR 12,200 crore for three major corridors in Hyderabad when the bidder was chosen last time.

Mr K Rosaiah chief minister of Andhra Pradesh who reviewed the progress of the bidding process for the project felt that the project implementation, which was delayed due to factors beyond control, needs to be expedited setting up revised implementation schedule.

The State Government had cancelled the contract awarded to the Maytas Infra-led consortium for failing to achieve financial closure in spite of extending deadline. The project has come up for re-bidding and the State has extended the date for fresh pre qualification on the request of some of the participants.

While the pre qualification deadline has been extended to November 2 the due date or the financial bids is fixed for January 22. The Chief Minister directed the metro rail project officials to adhere to the current bidding schedule for pre-qualification and financial bids.

Mr Rosaiah has decided to take up the issue of Multi Modal Transport System Phase II with the Railway Ministry for higher allocation of funds along with other rail projects in the State, including new trains and additional lines. A detailed presentation of both the projects was made to the Chief Minister.

(Sourced from Business Line)