n The dissolution of Telangana Assembly and consequent fluid political situation is unlikely to come in the way of the inauguration of a new stretch of Hyderabad Metro line. However there was a question mark on who will do the honours of inauguration.

Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. managing director NVS Reddy said the Ameerpet-LB Nagar line will be opened this month itself. "As the election notification has not been issued there will not be any problem in inauguration of the line", he said. He was talking to the media after the Chief Secretary laid down the foundation for the multi level parking complex as part of the Nampally Metro station.

He said that the testing of signalling and other systems on the stretch was in the final stage and the clearance by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety was expected soon.

Originally the Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was expected to inaugurate the stretch by the middle of September.

NVS Reddy said that before the election notification and model code of conduct comes into effect the Chief Minister or minister for municipal administration can inaugurate the stretch.

However such a move may trigger a political controversy as opposition parties will not take it kindly and view it as an attempt by ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti to take political mileage out of the event.

Cutting Edge Technology

The communication based Train Control Signalling System supplies M/s Tahles was being tested extensively both in the lab and the site as it was a cutting edge railway signalling system, NVS Reddy said.

HMRL has already submitted the documents of other clearances including the civil structures, tracks and electrical systems to the CMRS. After the signalling system certificate was submitted the CMRS safety team will undertake inspection of the route and permit the running of commuter metro trains, Reddy said.

With the inauguration of the 16 kms stretch, the entire 29 kms long Corridor I will be operational. Metro was already running on Miyapur-Ameerpet stretch of this corridor and Ameerpet-Nagole on the other corridor.

Hyderabad Metro crossed a major landmark when the number of passengers it carried since its inauguration on 28 November 2017 reached 20 million or two crore mark on September 4.

Expressing his happiness over the achievement NVS Reddy said that it was achieved much before than expected with only two stretches opened. The number of passengers will increase significantly once the Ameerpet-LB Nagar stretch was opened.