From November-end citizens can expect to have a metro train once every 15 minutes between Nagole to Ameerpet (17 km) and Miyapur to Ameerpet (13 km) for about 10 days and once the number of passengers increase the frequency is likely to be increased to five minutes or even two minutes.
In fact, Telangana government and the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) authorities are gearing up to run full-fledged metro services for the total 30 kms stretch (on two different corridors) from the day Prime Minister Narender Modi, inaugurates it on November 28 when he arrives in the capital for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
Fare not revealed
Although metro rail officials are tight-lipped about the probable ticket fare, it is clear the fare card announced six years ago will no longer hold good.
The authorities had proposed to the fare be between ₹8 and ₹19 depending on the distance travelled with ₹40 for the unlimited use during the day.
It was also planned an additional 25% fare be charged from customers during the peak hours.
“The Government is very clear it wants the private car users to be moved on to the metro first. While the fares will be decided in consultation with the L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) before the launch, it will not be as high as it is in the cities where metro was launched recently,” avers HMR Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy, when pressed for his take.
Smart card
One thing is for sure, metro rail commuters will be travelling using smart card from day one while negotiations are on with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation and railway authorities to bring them onto the common ticket card which could be pre-paid.
“We have also discussed with TSRTC on running feeder services from the stations to the nearby areas. An added advantage would be that the TSRTC will get the first preference at the stations at bus bays too,” he explained.
While three car trains will have a carrying capacity of 1,000 passengers per trip and this can be increased to 2,000 passengers once six car trains are run.
Enough rakes
Some 30 trains can be run within an hour and close to 300 train services can be run in a day on a single corridor. There are about 57 trains in the Nagole and Miyapur depots.
With all the works including the mighty Ameerpet interchange station where Corridor One metro line — L.B. Nagar to Miyapur — will cross over the Corridor Three — Nagole to Hi-Tec City/Raidurg — expected to be ready by October 15, trial runs are expected to be completed and the safety certification by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) before the D-Day.
Rejuvenation
With much activity on the metro viaduct on the top, HMR and L&TMRH are not neglecting the ground below with lots of changes being planned to make it more safe and convenient for citizens. At least 600 metres along the stations and slightly beyond on both sides of the road will be having brand new footpaths with street furniture, signage and barricading to prevent pedestrians spill over onto the road traffic.
“We will be spending about ₹1 crore at each station for rejuvenation of the area for the 30 stations on both corridors where the service will be running. With a station every kilometre we will cover most of the 30 km and the remaining gaps will be developed by the upcoming Road Development Corporation,” explained Mr. Reddy. Besides, L&TMRH too is spending up to ₹64 crore for road median and approach roads.
