Hyderabad: The government and L&T are learnt to have reached an in-principle agreement to launch Metro Rail operations on Diwali in October. Services will be launched on the 8-km Nagole-Mettuguda and 12-km Miyapur-SR Nagar stretches.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is learnt to have given his nod to the proposal submitted by L&T. CMO sources said L&T officials had met minister K.T. Rama Rao recently and proposed to launch operations from Diwali.

Metro rail awaiting nod

L&T officials had approached urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao with a proposal to launch services on the Nagole-Mettuguda and Miyapur-SR Nagar stretches. He took the issue with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who gave his approval. Sources said Mr Chandrasekhar Rao wanted the Metro Rail to run on two stretches simultaneously and not just Nagole-Mettuguda stretch. L&T officials were ready to do so. The government and L&T agreed on the Diwali launch but the issue of the railway safety certification not being secured for the Miyapur-SR Nagar stretch came up for discussion. Metro Rail officials said inspections were expected any time and all the clearances would be secured by October. The mandatory certification has been secured for Nagole-Mettuguda stretch.

“If for any reason the certification is delayed, the Diwali launch may not be possible. But in any case, the commercial operations will be launched this year. We are hopeful of a Diwali launch since both these stretches have been completed and obtaining clearances is only a formality," said sources.