Hyderabad: Metro ridership stabilising

Hyderabad: One month after inauguration of Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), 32.25 lakh passengers have travelled and on an average 1 lakh passengers are commuting per day in the new rail network. Based on the demand, Hyderabad Metro Rail will run more trains after the statutory safety compliance period is completed in March. 

N.V.S. Reddy, HMR MD, said, “At least 1 lakh people are commuting daily. But the number is yet to be stabilised. Considering the initial joyrides and the holiday season, the passenger figures are slowly stabilising. It may take another one or two months to fully stabilise.”

HMR will start displaying the time-table at all stations within a few days. About the inconvenience caused by the slow progress on the SR Nagar to Mettuguda line, Mr Reddy said, “The Communications-based Train Control (CBTC) is in place from Miyapur to SR Nagar, but it is not yet automated till Mettuguda. By March 2018, this problem will be completely resolved.”

As a part of the urban rejuvenation programme, HMR wants to teach Hyderabadis how to walk by creating sidewalks. Mr Reddy said, “Let’s teach Hyderabad how to walk. That’s one of the reasons why bus stops and parking lots are located away from the stations. The rejuvenation works are expected to be completed by January 15. The government is spending more than Rs 1.5 crore to beautify the station and other places. ” The peak hour kicks in only after 5 pm.

Metro stations toilets to be state-of-the-art facility
A month after the inauguration of Metro Rail, commuters have been frequently raising concerns about the lack of toilets. The toilets at concourse level which are meant for the staff are currently used by the public.

N.V.S. Reddy, HMR MD, said, “Even though, Metro is not meant for providing toilets, due to the huge number of requests we are taking up activities to provide the latest facilities. For all the 24 stations, we floated tenders and received a good response. We will follow the BOT model. About eight firms have participated in the tender process. ”

Each toilet will be placed diagonally opposite the other on the either side of the road. Mr Reddy said, “Due to security reasons, we did not place dustbins as someone can place unidentified objects. Since, the chance of disposing waste is high at Metro stations; we looked at designs of transparent dustbins and will be placing them soon.” Meanwhile, Hyderabadis will be able to watch movies lying on reclining couches in theatres. 

According Mr Reddy, “Hyderabadis will have a new kind of movie-going experience with flat bed screens and one of the best theatres in the world. There will be nine screens in the Panjagutta mall while the Hitec City mall will have seven screens.”

Acquisition row halts Durgam station opening

While the Metro Rail works from Ameerpet to Hitec City is on at full pace, the delay in acquisition of land to build a staircase at Durgam Cheruvu station is not helping matters. The station is ready, but plan to acquire the land for a staircase has run into rough weather. The acquisition process was initiated about six months ago. Authorities reportedly spoke to the shopkeepers and issued notices to produce documents. 

One affected outlet owner, Mr Abdullah, who runs Hitech Bawarchi Restaurant, said, “We haven’t heard from the authorities after we submitted the documents. We have leased out shops on the ground floor to vendors 10 months ago which have still not started business. Metro officials said six months ago that the work would start in a few months, so some parts would have to be demolished. Our tenants waited for a long time but are now stepping back due to the delay.”

Shopkeepers submitted the required documents to the authorities but haven’t heard from them ever since. One shopkeeper said, “We will lose 24 sq yards of land to the staircase planned for the station and we have submitted the land documents to them.” N. V. S. Reddy, Hyderabad Metro Rail MD, said, “There are different stages of notification. It is a lengthy procedure. Once the statutory period is over, the compensation will be disbursed to them.”