Governor travels by Metro Rail, inspects facilities

Hyderabad : Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, accompanied by Municipal Administration Minister K. Tarakarama Rao, Chief Secretary S.P. Singh, HMRL MD N.V.S.Reddy and L&T Metro Rail Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, travelled by Metro train from SR Nagar to Miyapur and inspected the station facilities and Urban Rejuvenation works at Miyapur Metro station today (Wednesday). He also visited the train stabling and repair arrangements, coach maintenance facilities, etc. at Miyapur depot.

Appreciating the good layout and facilities at the Metro stations and the comfortable Metro train ride, he enquired about the technologies that are being used in the Hyderabad Metro Rail. Explaining the advanced technologies like Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system which gives a final train frequency of two minutes, the in-built driverless train technology which permits operation of Metro trains and the present limited role of the loco pilot, the special layout of the Metro stations and the advanced braking system which result in energy saving up to 40%, HMRL MD N.V.S. Reddy and L&TMRHL MD Shivanand Nimbargi informed the Governor that Hyderabad Metro system has adopted state of the art technologies and that it will be one of the best in the world in terms of passenger comfort, train ride quality, energy efficiencies, etc.

At Miyapur station, HMRL MD has explained to the Governor about the large scale public space creation and high quality street level facilities being developed by HMRL at Miyapur in particular and at all the 24 Metro stations in the inaugural 30 km stretch from Miyapur to Ameerpet (13 km) and Ameerpet to Nagole (17 km) in general. He has informed the Governor that world class street level facilities including aesthetically designed side-walks (footpaths), street furniture, greenery etc., are being developed in an extent of about 700 mtrs at every Metro station by HMRL. Segregation of main carriage way and the side-walks and service lanes is being done with installation of safety railings to prevent overcrowding and spilling over of Metro passengers on to the main carriage way and for better pedestrian safety, he elaborated.

To a query by the Governor about the feasibility of completion of these facilities by the inaugural time, N.V.S.Reddy has assured him that the street level facilities at the main station area of 220 mtrs (Zone ‘B’) will be completed at almost all the 24 Metro stations by the inaugural time and that the remaining works in ‘A’ and ‘C’ zones will be completed in the next couple of months.

Inspecting the hawkers' plaza area, art spot, inaugural plaza area, kiosks and relaxation zone etc., at Miyapur, the Governor appreciated the efforts of HMRL and L&T to give a world class travel experience to the denizens of Hyderabad. He also emphasized on the need for launching an extensive education campaign regarding the need for behavioural change and self discipline on the part of the commuters to keep the Metro premises clean and neat.

Minister KTR and Chief Secretary S.P. Singh have assured the Governor that such an educational campaign will be launched soon and that GHMC, Police, Government public utilities as well as interested private organizations will be roped in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring orderly behavior at Metro stations and other installations.