The cheapest mode of transport turns 16

Secunderabad: The Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) completed 16 years on Thursday. MMTS trains were flagged off by L K Advani, the then Deputy Prime Minister of India, on August 9, 2003 at a function held at Bhoiguda side of Secunderabad.

The suburban transportation project was started jointly by Railways and State government to ease the traffic congestion in the city. While 2/3rd of expenditure was borne by the State, 1/3rd was contributed by Railways.

In 2003, the operations started between Secunderabad-Lingampalli and Hyderabad-Lingampalli, a stretch of 29 km. Later, the section between Secunderabad-Falaknuma, a stretch of 15 km, was brought under MMTS network in February 2014.

Recently, Telapur-Ramachandrapuram, a distance of 6 km with addition of 3 stations, became operational on June 9, 2019.

The minimum fare is Rs 5 and the maximum fare is Rs 10. After introduction of Telapur-Ramachandrapuram section of 6 km stretch, the maximum fare has become Rs 15. In fact, the minimum fare of Rs 5 is continuing from its introduction.

Initial investment for the MMTS Project Phase-I was Rs 158.83 crores, where Rs 98.75 crores were allotted for fixed structures and Rs 60.08 crores for rolling stock.