Hyderabad to have cable cars, trams, LRTS to ease traffic woes

Hyderabad: Ever imagined flying through the skies on a ropeway or tram, which are typically seen in hill stations such as Manali or Mussoorie, to get to your destination in the city? If the Telangana state government's plans come to fruition, you may be embarking on a pollution-free, smoother, and possibly more cost-effective means of urban mobility that steers clear of straggling traffic gridlock in order to get to your destination.  

The Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA) is collaborating with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), and a number of other agencies to introduce ropeways, trams, and a Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) to strengthen public transport and help in the decongestion of the city's roads. The initiative also involves the police department and other city departments.

Although the Metro Rail system covering around 69 kilometres has been introduced to help reduce the ever-increasing traffic pressure, authorities are now seriously considering introducing cable cars and LRTS to further decongest the roads and allow the general public and office goers to reach their destinations in a hassle-free manner.

The city could get a new generation 10.4 km tramway JBS to Charminar, according to the proposals. The project would be executed through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funding. Authorities stated that the project would eventually be integrated with Metro (Green Line) at JBS and Shalibanda. Officials estimated that the facility would serve 3.53 lakh commuters every day. Nodal agencies have prepared draft proposals for LRTS connecting KPHB to the Financial District.

The LRTS will operate nearly 12 kilometres and will be connected to the Red Line at KPHB Metro Station, the Blue Line at Raidurg Metro Station, and the Airport Express Corridor at Narsingi. For the multimodal and integrated development, a stable yard near Gungurthy village would be established. The draft proposal has been prepared by HMRL. The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department held several meetings regarding the project, which would benefit 4.13 lakh commuters every day.

Further, the government plans to build numerous urban mobility corridors in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area, which may include trams or ropeways depending on feasibility, officials informed Deccan Chronicle. The government has decided to build a 5.5-kilometer tramway/ropeway along the Musi River from MGBS to Nehru Zoological Park, which would be integrated at the MGBS metro station. There are also plans to connect the East-West Corridor via Khairatabad - Secretariat - Assembly - Paradise (8.4km).  

Authorities also informed that a tourism corridor would be developed. According to the plans, a ropeway would connect Raigir to Yadagirigutta Temple city and integrate with the Raigir Railway Station, in addition to developing an Eco-Tourism Park on the connecting hill."The Hussainsagar Lake has enormous tourist potential that is currently not fully tapped and explored. There is a need to provide an added attraction around the lake to maximise tourist footfalls. This is best addressed by building a ropeway network that loops around the lake. A ropeway system connecting Necklace Road MMTS station, Sanjeevaiah Park MMTS station, and other touristic locations such as People's Plaza, Jalvihar, Sanjeevaiah Park, and Indira Park with a length of 7-8 kms is proposed along Hussain Sagar lake," an official informed.