The first phase of the Metro is set to be inaugurated on November 28, but when Deccan Chronicle visited the stations to give a sneak peak of what to expect, the situation does not appear ideal for inauguration. The Ameerpet interchanging station is in chaos, as it will have to accommodate two trains Nagole to Ameerpet and Ameerpet to Miyapur. Hawkers occupy most of the exit areas at various stations. The footpaths are conspicuous by their absence.
Passengers will have to negotiate their way between hawkers and heavy vehicular traffic at a number of stations. For the physically challenged it is going to be tough, as the Metro has not given them a priority. Ramps have not been built and areas at stations, have yet to be cleared of gravel to make them wheelchair-friendly. It seems it’s going to be a namesake inauguration.
The small underground temple at Moosapet station that greets people on their exit. (Photo: DC)
Miyapur
Away from the chaos
The station is one of the most serene places away from the chaotic traffic. Calvary Church and Miyapur Metro Rail Depot are also there. There is a petrol pump at Gate A. Though the bus bay is under construction, RTC buses make a quick stop for passengers to get down and get in.
A temple in the middle of the road makes at ESI makes it difficult for pedestrians as well traffic. (Photo: DC)
JNTU College
Eateries eat up space
Eateries and clothing stores welcome passengers. There is also an Aadhaar Seva Kendra and an ATM at Gate B. Landmark Hospital, Talimpu Restaurant, Domino’s and Pizza Hut are in the area. Students from CMS Commerce College move around. A petrol pump is near Gate A. There is a bus stop. A short walk would lead to More Super Market and Asian Theatre.
The exit of the Mettuguda station onto the main road, with no parking space. (Photo: DC)
KPHB Colony
Temple, hawkers narrow exit
The street is filled with ATMs and street vendors, selling food and clothes. Bus stop, local and long-distance, is located near Gate C. Famous clothing stores like Taruni and RS Brothers are also located nearby. There is Renuka Yellamma temple and a hospital. There is also a GHMC Annapurna centre.
Kukatpally
Malls galore to do shopping
The station greets travellers with a Big Bazaar store on one side, Omni Hospital and Kalyan Jewellers on the other side. There is an ICICI ATM at Gate A, which is parallel to Narayana Junior College and Sri Chaitanya Junior College. There are options to eat and there are tea stalls at Gate B and Gate D.
Balanagar
D-mart greets travellers
Travellers leaving through Gate B will end up at the entrance of D-Mart. There is a wine shop and Chennai Silks for people leaving through Gate A. There is a petrol pump at Gate C. Street vendors and a bike showroom are also nearby.
Moosapet
Temple eats into path space
There is a small temple underground. Also, there is a cemetery and a darga. There are many street vendors selling foodstuff. Leaving though Gate A leads to the bus stop, while Gate B is close to a fuel station.
Bharatnagar
Small station
The station is significantly small with two exits. The area is crowded with street vendors, selling foodstuff and vegetables. There is a temple in the locality. A short walk from Gate D will lead to a bus stop and a few steps further there is a theatre.
Erragadda
Tippler’s joy here
The station is near the Food Corporation of India. Exiting from Gate A will lead to a hardware storeroom and supermarket. A wine shop, Arabian restaurant and a Med Plus store are nearby. Caution while exiting from Gate A as there is a transformer. Many hawkers sell fruits, vegetables and flowers.
ESI Hospital
Eat to your heart’s fill
Passengers exiting from Gate D would be welcomed by people soliciting the Annapuran canteen. A masjid, at the entrance of ESI Hospital and a temple are visible from the station. The Government Chest Hospital, Delight Bakery and Ayurvedic Medical are located nearby.
SR Nagar
Walk into ATMs
Exiting SR Nagar station through Gate D would land a traveller in front of a bus stop and TSRTC advance booking centre. The passenger is welcomed by Mee Seva centre and ATMs of several banks. There are dry fruit and spices stores and a speech and hearing centre near the station.
Ameerpet
Works yet to start
This station will have two trains coming: From Nagole to Ameerpet and Ameerpet to Miyapur. Works are yet to start. There are hawkers, selling fruits, cloths and other accessories. There is no footpath.
Begumpet
Bus stops not close by
It is next to the flyover and commuters will have to walk down outside Country Club gate. From here they will have to walk towards bus stops which are at Greenlands. The area is right below the flyover near the main Begumpet railway station and there is a constant vehicular movement.
Prakashnagar
To visit here check google map
This a shopping complex with a Reliance showroom and a wines shop nearby. The place will become more crowded once Metro Rail starts. Commuters coming out from the left side will see a Shoppers Stop showroom. Sanjay Raiko, manager with a footwear showroom said, “Once Metro starts this road will become more jam-packed. And commuters will have to check Google Maps before stepping out. People may skip this area completely as this junction is set to become more busier.”
Rasoolpura
No parking space
Commuters will have a tough time as the staircase on the main road is surrounded by commercial complexes. To control traffic, the U-turn at the Rasoolpura junction has been closed. Employees feel that the area will become more crowded. Commuters getting down via the elevators will face the KTM Duke showroom. Sunitha Rao, a resident of Rasoolpura, said, “It will be difficult to cross the road as it is one of the busiest junctions in the city. The station is above the traffic signal.”
Parade Grounds Interchanging
Parking woes to hit parade station
This is a major junction which will become fully active only after the Falaknuma-Jubilee Bus Stand network starts. Currently, people will have to move towards the temple side to get down. The footpath near the station is wide and beautified. However, parking space is not available nearby.
Secunderabad
Buildings at close quaters
This station has major buildings close to it. The area is active with hawkers and fruit vendors and has no footpath. The authorities have set up ramp and metal railings for passenger traffic. The area is crowded with people and vehicles.
Mettuguda
Parking not near station
There is St Anthony’s Church near the station’s entrance which is crowded during the weekends. Christina Paul, a resident of the area, said, “A lot of people, who come to the church, park their two-wheelers outside which causes traffic congestion. Now the number of people will increase and there will be little space left on the road.” The parking space is ahead of a traffic signal beyond the entrance which could be problematic when one is running short of time.
Tarnaka
Narrow footpath
The station’s entrance and exit are elevated. However, it has made the road narrower and commuters will overcrowd the entrance and exit, waiting for the traffic to pass as the footpath is narrow.
Habsiguda
School crowd to clash
The station’s entrance is near Sarathi School. Sampurna Pathak, a parent, said, “The road is always crowded in the morning when parents drop their children. There are chances for chaos as the designated parking space is ahead of the school.” There are many roadside vendors on the footpath.
NGRI
Eateries crowd entrance
It is near CCMB. The area is relatively less crowded. However, a lot of eateries are cluttered near the entrance. Mahesh Rai, a hotel worker, said, “We are expecting good business as the exit is just before our hotel. However, the area is going to get a lot more crowded and noisier.”
Stadium
Shops, hotels on footpath
The area has a lot of vehicular traffic. The street has many shops and hotels which have converted the footpath into parking zones. Hence people will have to walk to reach the nearest bus stop or to get a cab.
Reporting by Kaniza Garari, Anusha Puppala, Naveena Ghanate and Indulekha Arakkal
