Visitors to Hyderabad have a brand new attraction now. That’s Metro! For thousands of people coming to Hyderabad for various purposes, Metro has moved into their itinerary. Besides, a joyride on Metro for families on weekends is ‘in’ thing if the rush witnessed on Saturday and Sunday last was any indication.

Barely a week after its inauguration by Prime Minister Modi, the new mode of mass transport has been gaining momentum with every passing day. Metro trains started operating on a 30km stretch of the first phase of the project from November 29 and in one week the elevated mass transport has registered a footfall of more than a million. The highest recorded so far was on Sunday when 2.4 lakh people travelled on different routes.

The numbers are music to the ears of concessionaire L&T and the Telangana government as both of them are partners in the mega venture. With commuter numbers steadily increasing, the government is mulling revival of an old plan to extend Metro to Shamshabad airport. If it is done, air passengers could zap in and out of the international airport which itself is witnessing a phenomenal increase in passenger traffic.

There are, of course, initial problems which are continuing. Major passenger complaints include no drinking water facility, lack of platform signs and display boards. There are safety concerns too, a major one being passengers trying to travel on footboards or standing near the doors, without realising the fact that they are automated. Looks old habits die hard. Nevertheless, Metro authorities are showing remarkable patience in dealing with situations that are peculiar to Hyderabad.

Amidst reports that engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has sought more than two years for completion of the Hyderabad Metro project, industry sources said the delay has increased the cost of the project from over Rs 14,100 crore to an estimated Rs 18,800 crore.

Billed as the world’s biggest metro rail project in public private partnership (PPP), it was taken up in 2012 at a cost of Rs 14,132 crore. The cost escalation is to the tune of over Rs 4,600 crore.

Both Telangana Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao and L&T officials, at a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday, confirmed the cost overruns, but declined to give a figure or comment further, saying they were trying to resolve the issue through talks.

Despite texting questions to L&T, the company did not respond on the cost over-runs till the time the story went on the wire.

According to sources, the 72 km and 66 stations which were to be completed by April 2016 will now be rolled out in three phases.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the project — of 30 km and 24 stations — on November 28.

The Telangana government, however, has agreed to give L&T further time only till November 2018 to complete the project, according to sources.

The financial closure for the project was achieved in April 2011. Sources said scheduled completion date was five years from date of financial closure.

However, extension of time up to November 2018 has been given to L&T on account of delay in right of way (RoW).

The second phase of the corridor — barring a 6 km stretch (near Charminar) — of 66 kms and 61 stations was expected to commissioned by November 2018.

The sources said the second stretch is already behind schedule by 31 months. “As far as the date of completion for the project is concerned, that is, third phase, the final stretch of 6 km, is yet to be decided.”

Hyderabad Metro Rail, which is set to launch its services next week, has fixed the minimum fare at Rs 10 and the maximum at Rs 60.

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited on Saturday announced the fares in line with the Central Metro Act.

A 30-km stretch on Nagole-Ameerpet-Miyapur sections is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 28.

The commercial operations will commence the next day.

Passengers will be charged Rs10 for travel up to 2 km, Rs 15 for travel more than 2 and up to 4 km, Rs 25 (4-6 km), Rs 30 (6-8 km), Rs 35 (8-10 km), Rs 40 (10-14 km), Rs 45 (14-18 km), Rs 50 (18-22 km), Rs 55 (22-26 km) and Rs 60 (more than 26 km)

The token or smart card can be purchased at any station from November 29.

Smart Cards will be charged at Rs 200 with Rs 100 as initial top-up amount for travel and Rs 100 as a security deposit.

“Smart Card allows hassle free travel experience and we would encourage the public to use the same. A special discount of 5 per cent is given to Smart Card users,” said the statement from LTMRHL.

Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMRL) and the builder L&T have locked horns over additional payments to be made by the state government due to the change in law.

L&T reportedly informed Telangana Chief Secretary SP Singh that provision of Concessioner Agreement (CA) be followed to make the change in law payments. But HMRL put forth the argument that the change in law payments will be done only after the onset of commercial operations. At the end of 2015-16, the government is due Rs 104 crore rupees to L&T quotes a report in DC.

Also, L&T requested the government to issue change of scope order as it requires financial assistance to extend Hitec City to Raidurg corridor III. However, HMRL MD NVS Reddy said that the government made a conditional offer that L&T has to carry out the extension corridor without seeking financial aid or change in scope, while allotting 16acres of prime land at Raidurg. HMRL noted that MGBS and Falknuma stretch is not being executed, so L&T has to return the 80percent of costs it saved.

Consequently, Telangana Chief Secretary advised both the parties to submit their arguments to the Advocate General.

On the other hand, the SP Singh also advised the builder to complete Miyapur- SR Nagar and Nagole-Mettuguda corridor before November as the Prime Minister may inaugurate them in the last week of November.

Meanwhile HMRL and TSRTC announced that they would setup solar bus shelters at all Metro Rail stations along with GHMC.