Glitch delays first day of Hyderabad Metro operations

What next for the world’s biggest public-private partnership project, with the Hyderabad Metro Rail system being built at a total cost of ₹14,132 crore with L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) investing up to ₹12,764 crore? “Making this project financially viable,” says Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy. He may sound sanguine, yet all indications are costs are only about to increase.

Barring a few initial hiccups, the first ride on Metro Rail between Nagole and Ameerpet went as per schedule.

Braving the cold winter morning, passengers arrived at the station at 4 a.m. Majority on the 6 a.m. trip merely came for the experience of metro ride, even as regular commuters started teaming in after 7.30 a.m.

At Nagole, the first batch of passengers had to face delay in issue of tickets, partly due to inexperienced staff and partly due to faulty vending machine. Many of them had to miss the first ride which they were aspiring to.

Nevertheless, the enthusiasm and excitement of the riders was palpable. They started taking selfies and posed for pictures with tokens in hands. Inside the train too, people could not stop taking pictures even as the attendants pleaded them not to.

"I have come from Chanchalguda and been waiting since 4 a.m. just to experience the first ride. I had to come early, because I didn't know the route," said Mohd. Mazharuddin.

A few passengers found the ride too slow, and a few more expensive. But by and large, many felt the Metro Rail would reduce the commuting time and revolutionise the urban transport.

"This ride overlooking the city is much more pleasant than the travel in buses on pothole-ridden roads. The fares are compatible with the facilities provided," said K.Satyanarayana, a retired Singareni employee.

L&T staff were deployed to guide the passengers to the platform and exit points on the first day.