Hyderabad Metro Rail plans beautification of approach roads

• Model roads to be constructed around metro corridor
• Rs 43.60 cr to be borne by HMR in Nagole-Mettuguda line
• Electrical and cable wires would be stuffed into two sets of ducts
• Chairs, niche stores and coffee shops throughout the stretch

With the Tokyo Metro Rail project replicating Hyderabad Metro Rail’s (HMR) Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system, our Metro has certainly been placed on the global map. But with stature comes the added responsibility of living up to the hype. This aspect is being addressed by the HMR, which is an attempt to woo global investors to Hyderabad.

“Metro Rail has been a dream for many Hyderabadis. But we do not wish to have the dream next to stinking open sewerage lines, dangling wires and ducts. When it is something that has notched attention globally, the standard to be upheld is our responsibility. It’s our responsibility to give the dreamers the best and for that, we will not leave any stones unturned,” shared an official from the HMR.

The attempt is to uplift lanes of the city onto a world class stature. It means that there would be no dangling wires and open sewerage lines and the corridor would be refurbished, meeting all the international standards. The HMR and the GHMC have a master plan to develop the 72km stretch of the metro corridor. For the first phase on the 8km Nagole-Mettuguda stretch, the costs would be borne by the HMR, alone. It will be initially chipping in Rs 43.60 crore to refurbish the areas in and around the metro.

While Chennai Metro Rail is obsessed with fancy looking mural arts and has invited artistes and organisations to beautify metro stations and structures, our city is visibly better-off. Apparently, the roads around the metro corridors in Hyderabad will also have a facelift. Four lane roads would be introduced, with greenery on either sides and over the middle patch. All the open sewerage lines would be closed and the green patches would have trees and plants on them. The HMR is also planning to install plastic, fibre and wooden chairs for passersby. These patches will also have niche stores and coffee shops, at all major junctions.

Loose and dangling wires are something the civic body and metro rail authorities are really serious about. In the near future, in the first phase of the works, underground cable wires with two ducts would be set up -- one duct for electricity while the other for cables. The centre duct would be of 0.75 metres in width, while the either side duct would be of 2.5 metres.

The success stories of a few select metro rails are inspiring, like the one in Delhi. While in places like Mumbai where even Ambani’s Reliance failed to turn out things in time, Delhi built a Metro that, in the context of India, has become one of the wonders of the modern world.

Based on the current plans of the HMR, the country will have built a metro system on par with those of Paris, London and New York. The world can learn from Asia's success stories, where Hyderabad might set its own epitome.

Now, the race is to emerge as the best among Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad. It is indeed a race to the top. Well, we do wish Hyderabad wins this one.

To push these developmental programmes, the HMR has called for tenders for

• Widening the carriageway at Yousufguda and other locations between Ameerpet and Jubilee Hills Check Post - Corridor- III.

• Widening and strengthening of the existing carriageway in widened portion by laying BT Road by HMP at Moosapet along Corridor-I.

• Providing 150mm thick CC Road in the widened portion at Musheerabad Main Road in Corridor-II

• Providing 150mm thick CC road in the widened portion of the Narayanaguda flyover - YMCA Main Road in Corridor-II-HMR