The Union finance department has in principle agreed to provide Rs 2,000 crore for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, which is estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore. Informed sources said an experts committee of the finance ministry has recommended viability gap funding for this public-private partnership project and it was under consideration of the ministry. The Metro Rail company was in the process of evaluating the five bids presented by five different consortiums and whichever company seeks the least viability gap funding, it will get the final contract of the project. The five consortiums left in the fray after technical bids include one led by Reliance Energy and another led by Bombardier of Canada. Once the viability gap funding idea is approved by the union finance ministry, the central government will start providing its funds to the state government in a phased manner. __
