Hyderabad: Unlike Nagole to Miyapur stretch, where commuters need to switch trains, the LB-Nagar to Miyapur stretch can be traversed all in one go. The Ameerpet to LB Nagar route will be inaugurated at 12:15 pm on Monday by the Governor, while the services will be open for the public from 6 pm onwards On Saturday the trains were running until LB-Nagar as part of trail run, however all the passengers were dropped at Ameerpet station.
While authorities have said that currently trains would run at a frequency of 5 minute starting Monday, it can be reduced to even 3 minutes as the entire corridor 1 has been adopted with communication-based train control (CBTC) system, also known as “driverless technology.” An official said, “With CBTC, the train can run at a greater frequency. However, it would depend on the rate at which commuters disburse.”
In the red corridor, commuters need not switch platforms so the time taken to exit is less. However, commuters travelling to other stations need to head to another platform; so the time for the Blue line remains same. While initially LTHMRL will wait for stabilisation of crowd and achieve new normal, the existing Ameerpet to Nagole frequency will be eight minutes and six minutes in busy hour. Meanwhile, the fare chart will remain the same and the charge will be based on the kilometers, with minimum begin Rs 10, maximum i.e anything beyond 26 kilometres would be Rs 60.
The fare chart will be made available on Ltmetro website, said an official. Ameerpet to LB-Nagar would come down to Rs 45. However smart card users will have 10 per cent discount on the travel. While currently about one lakh travellers are commuting through Metro, authorities are expecting more commuters as they connect to MGBS and Nampally Bus station apart from LB Nagar which is boarding point for many outstation travellers.
Ameerpet station becomes eatery hub
Ameerpet Metro station is the place for eateries and at any hour of the day, several commuters are seen picking the eateries. Being one of the largest stations, it offers varieties of eateries including Shawarma, Frankie, Ghee sweets, Chai-samosa and even ice cream. Over the past ten months, several stores have come up in the area and many more are likely.
As the Interchange station, Ameerpet has food courts and a supermarket, while the entertainment zone, florists and retail spaces are yet to come. The makeshift stores currently have electronic items like mobile phones and accessories, apart from the antique jewellery and clothing.
A commuter Mr KR Srinivas said, “I grab a quick snack in the evening when I am heading back home to Nagole. “Often the time gap between stations allows you to make the purchase and board the train. I have even used the supermarket a couple of times,” Srinivas added Kavita, a commuter from Secunderabad to KPHB, said, “The super market sometimes comes handy, especially when I get delayed at work.”
