The Hyderabad Metro Rail has captivated the imagination of city folks for several years now. And the long wait finally ends today with the first line of the Metro opening up for the public. City dwellers are not just excited to experience it but are also keen to see if and how life will change. From expecting traffic free roads to saving time on travel, their hopes are sky-high.
“I have been waiting for nearly six years! I am surely going to take a ride at the earliest possible. After years of facing hassles because of the traffic caused by the construction process, it will be interesting to see if this will reduce the congestion on the roads. I am glad we now have a saviour when it comes to travelling long distances,” observes Rohit Jain, an entrepreneur from the city who works on the telematics application Dhundoo, adding that he is curious what this will mean for cab services.
But it’s not just about the excitement of experiencing the Metro. Filmmaker Pranith Bramandapally, who’s working on his next with Niharika Konidela, Nanna Kuchi, shares, “That they have made efforts to make the service eco-friendly to an extent is what’s giving me the kick! Metro services are known to increase pollution levels and we do not want that in the city!”
He adds, “We have literally grown up watching the Metro come to life. I was in college when it began, while today college days are just memories! It sure is going to be a fun experience. Also, I am waiting to update my Snapchat with some Metro updates (laughs).”
Fronia Priscilla, a second year MCJ student from the University College of Arts and Social Sciences, is equally chuffed. She states, “I have had the chance to travel in Metros in other cities and was quite thrilled at the thought of doing the same in Hyderabad because we haven’t had anything so huge! I have also heard about cycles being provided at the railway stations for easier commutes. That will be exciting too! The only worry is that the beauty of the Metro is dependent on people keeping it neat. Let’s see where we fare on that regard.”
While many are gung-ho about experiencing the Metro, well-known RJ from the city, Vidya, has already had the rare opportunity to get an exclusive tour and has apprehensions similar to Fronia. “From what I have seen, they are giving us world-class facilities, but I am skeptical about how people will cooperate in maintaining that. There are several rules commuters have to follow and grave penalties for offences. For instance, you aren’t allowed to eat in the train, or can’t distribute pamphlets. I am really excited about the launch and can’t wait to get on to the train, but I am also keen to see how much respect people are going to give the train!” she concludes.
