The first phase of Hyderabad Metro Rail Project will be operational the next month and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train. On the other side, Telangana government and the project concessionaire, L&T are at loggerheads over the fares.
The state government wants Hyderabad Metro Rail fares to be lower than in other cities since the elections are fast approaching. The maximum fare in Mumbai is Rs 110, Chennai, Rs 70, while in Delhi and Bengaluru it is Rs 60.
Telangana wants the maximum fare to be Rs 50 as they feel the project developer L&T-HMRL can recover losses from realty projects for which 269 acres has been allotted in prime locations in the city. But L&T is of the opinion that it can not happen unless the government intervenes and pay back the balance fare as a subsidy. A final decision will be taken early the next month.
