Hyderabad Metro Rail decides to evict squatters on footpaths

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) has decided to provide ramps at footpaths for the convenience of pedestrians, senior citizens and physically challenged persons. This decision was taken at the inspection conducted between Punjagutta and MJ Market here on Sunday.

Apart from providing ramps, the metro authorities plan to remove all encroachments on footpaths especially between Punjagutta and Khairatabad on priority basis and to fix up the railings and bollards, so that vehicles are not taken on to the footpaths. The General Manager (Works) HMRL B N Rajeswar has been directed to peruse the vacation of High Court stay orders for taking up the construction of entry and exit at one of the arms of Khairatabad Metro rail station.

Among the other major decisions, the plan to aquire small strips of land from government departments to widen the footpaths at Irrum Manzil, and Assembly Metro Rail stations would be taken up said officials. A covered walkway for passengers transiting from Metro station to the Nampally Railway station and vice-versa to take their luggage in trolleys as in airports is also on the anvil. Proper bus bays, auto bays, e-vehicle bays etc., to be created to regulate the haphazard traffic in this busy Metro and Railway station said, HMR chief NVS Reddy.