On a weekday morning, when most other railway stations in the city witness a flurry of activity, life at the Necklace Road MMTS station seems to be a breeze.
Not very far away, the Khairatabad flyover is clogged with traffic. The parking lot at this station is nearly empty, barring two cars and a few two wheelers.
At the other entrance to this station, from Raj Bhavan Road, one would have to fight for parking space. “Many officer goers get off at this station and head towards Raj Bhavan Road and Begumpet. The parking lot towards that exit is a busy one. Here I have nothing much to do,” says Rahul, who mans the parking lot. His two sons are taking turns riding a bicycle with Mohammad Ifroze, whose auto is parked a little away.
“Madam, auto chahiye kya ?” he asks aloud, amid his cycle rounds with Rahul’s younger son. He doesn’t get to ferry too many passengers on weekday mornings and afternoons. Evenings are busy, he says, with more people commuting around Necklace Road, Lumbini Park, NTR Gardens and Prasads multiplex. On Sunday evenings, the area surrounding the MMTS station comes alive with many more auto rickshaws ferrying commuters, small time vendors selling cotton candies and makka butta . The zone is also frequented by those who like to feed hordes of pigeons through the day.
A few yards away from the parking lot, the walls of the constructions nearby sport a new look, thanks to the paintings by St+Art Foundation and its team of artists.
Pune-based artist Nilesh’s painting of a man about to dip a chunky Osmania biscuit into a cup of Irani chai, against the backdrop of Charminar, is his ode to the city.
Pune-based artist Nilesh’s painting is an ode to Hyderabad’s Old City
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) by artist duo Swathi and Vijay is another stunning painting, depicting a youngster so caught up with tracking and making his presence in the online world that he gets stuck in a make-believe world and doesn’t step out into reality.
Inside the MMTS station, at first glance, you’re taken in by the spic and span waiting area and platforms.
With the station being relatively less crowded and cleaner, a few fashion designers have also explored the area for portfolio shoots.
The long walkways leading to and fro the station platforms are covered by a blue, dust-laden canopy. A few commuters halt at the IRCTC cafeteria, Food Track, for a quick snack. The cafeteria is basic, stocking biscuits, samosas and veg puffs. The menu changes each day and offers lemon rice or tamarind rice for lunch.
