The stipulation under Metro Railways (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002, proscribing passenger travel on the metro rail, except with the previous sanction of the Central government, was relaxed for Minister K.T. Rama Rao and his entourage on Wednesday, when they travelled on the Ameerpet-L.B. Nagar stretch along with the metro rail inspection team.
Mr. Rama Rao was accompanied by Minister for Transport P. Mahender Reddy, MP Ch. Malla Reddy, Mayor Bonthu Ram Mohan, Principal Secretary, MAUD, Arvind Kumar, MD, HMRL, N.V.S. Reddy, and others, besides a posse of policemen and officials.
As per the Act, civilian passengers should not be allowed to travel on the metro rail till the Centre receives a report from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and sanctions the commercial operations.
The CMRS, before giving his/her report, should carefully inspect the metro rail line and the cars to be used on the tracks and see if they match the technical specifications of the Central government. The Commissioner should ensure that the track structure, strength of bridges, standards of signalling system, traction system, general structural character of civil work and the size of, and maximum gross load upon the axles of the cars comply with the requirements, before certifying that the metro rail line can be opened for passengers without any danger to those using it.
When sought for his version, however, HMRL MD N.V.S. Reddy said they were not passengers, but part of the inspection team, and hence, could be allowed the ride. Media, however, was not allowed even on the platform, let alone accompany the Minister.
