Telangana: MMTS ride a rough one

Hyderabad: Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) passengers do not have toilets, drinking water and ceiling fans at stations or a public announcement system on arrivals and departures of trains. The South Central Railway is concentrating on ‘A1’ and ‘A’ category stations which generate revenue, like Secunderabad, Kacheguda and Hyderabad, and is ignoring the rest.

Ms Y. Kalyani Rao, a bank employee who travels to HiTec City on MMTS, said there was no public announcement system at the Jamia Osmania station where she takes the train. “The trains are frequently delayed during peak hours. Besides, the MMTS from Falaknuma to Lingampally halts for 10 to 15 minutes between Sanjeevaiah Park and Nature Cure stations while waiting for signal.”

The ladies toilet at the Hafeezpet railway station has wide windows opening towards the railway foot bridge, an invitation to peeping toms. (Photo:DC)

A ladies toilet built at the Hafeezpet railway station now officially lies abandoned.(Photo:DC)

The city is on the boil, and a facility for cold water is welcome. But don’t expect one at the MMTS station. (Photo:DC)

A display board in one of the MMTS trains that DC travelled was dysfunctional. (Photo:DC)

She said SCR was running only one women’s special ‘Matru Bhoomi’. These services should be increased and regular MMTS services should have more coaches for women. Each train has three coaches for women now.

Ms J.V. Bhargavi, a techie who takes the MMTS from Lakdikapul station, said there is no security and TTEs are not seen after 6 pm. “Miscreants enter ladies coaches and occupy seats. Except at Lingampally, Hafeezpet and Hitec City stations, there are no toilets available for women. A few stations do have toilets for women but railway staff keep them under lock.” 

On trains, she said, only a few coaches have an announcement system. The LCD display systems at railway stations and coaches do not work. Anand Bagh Welfare Association president K.V. Suresh said travelling on MMTS trains between Falaknuma and HiTec City even in first class was a nightmare. “All sorts of people with second class tickets occupy seats in the first class compartment,” he said. The second class fare from Falaknuma to Hitec City is '10 and the first class ticket is priced at Rs 100.

“When we complain to TTEs, they ignore us. One TTE was very rude and used to manhandle passengers. After my complaint SCR took action against him,” Mr Suresh said. He said the services were not punctual. “We reach offices late everyday,” he said. 

South Central Railway authorities refused to talk to DC on the matter and said that steps were being taken to improve the punctuality of MMTS trains.