HMRL MD inspects Urban Rejuvenation works at Metro Rail Stations

Hyderabad: HMRL Managing Director NVS Reddy inspected the Urban Rejuvenation works being done by HMRL at Metro Stations between Ameerpet and Miyapur (13 km stretch) of Corridor-1 on Monday.

The main focus of the inspection is on dispersal of crowds expected at the Metro stations, especially during heavy rains and special occasions. Drawing upon the lessons of the recent mishap at a Mumbai suburban station where stampede occurred, the MD instructed that the sidewalks (footpaths) at Metro stations shall be widened by acquiring an additional 15 to 20 feet strip from the adjacent properties through land acquisition process, if required. Designs for skywalks at important stations and stations in narrow areas shall be expedited and works started early. He also instructed the engineers to remove all construction debris, clean up the station premises and speed up the Urban Rejuvenation works in the inaugural stretch.

Urban Rejuvenation works at each station cover an area of about 700mtrs and they are divided into 3 zones. The works in the main station area of 220 mtrs (zone B) shall be completed before the Metro Rail inauguration, the MD emphasized. Railing separating the entry exit points and the main carriage way shall be provided in the main station area, so that the Metro passengers will not come on to the main carriage way. Location of bus-bays, auto-bays, e-vehicle-bays and other parking areas shall be evenly distributed depending upon the specific requirements at each station in order to ensure uniform distribution of crowds and optimal utilization of the available space.

Location of toilet facilities shall be in diagonally opposite directions on both ends of the Metro station. Further, all overhead electrical installations on both sides of Metro stations shall be replaced with underground cabling enabling formation of service lanes.

During inspection, it was decided that on the right side of the Ameerpet interchange station (Saradhi studio side), a 15 feet strip from Saradhi studio and adjacent timber depots would be acquired to provide better passenger movement. The slab over open nala shall slightly be extended and railing will be provided for creation of ‘pedestrian refuge’ area. Encroachments by the commercial building between Mythrivanam and Evercars will be removed on the left side of Ameerpet station.

Appreciating the design pattern of tiles at SR Nagar Metro station, the MD instructed engineers to provide neat groves for the footpath kerbs and increase the kerb height of planters so that the plantation red earth will not spill on to the newly laid footpaths.

Proper ramps will be provided for the footpaths at Erragadda station to take care of the differential heights. The open nala on the right side of the station will be covered with grills and gratings for pedestrian safety, but at the same time allowing inflow of rain water which overflows from IDL Cheruvu side, during heavy rainfall.

Open nala adjacent to the grave yard on the left side of Moosapet station will also be covered and the area will be beautified. Obstructing electric poles on the right hand side of the station will be shifted and broader service lane will be created. Encroachments on the right side of Balanagar station will be removed and service road will be widened.

Several other important decisions were also taken during the inspection.