Hyderabad: The management of Metro Rail passengers on the roads outside the Parade Grounds and Ameerpet stations has become a matter of concern. Large crowds of people are seen waiting on the road for autorickshaws or buses. The situation at the Parade Grounds station is particularly worrisome as buses stop near the pavement to allow people to board and alight while there is a traffic signal close by. This leads to major traffic jams at the junction from where vehicles move towards either the Secunderabad Clock Tower or Marredpally.
A traffic police officer posted at the junction said, “During peak hours, the situation is very bad as the people coming out of the station either want to take buses or autorickshaws. We are not allowing any autorickshaws to stand at the turning as it can cause problems. People have to walk up to the court to board a bus or get an autorickshaw. Some of them just come out of the station and stand on the road, which can be dangerous.”
At Ameerpet, commuters exit the station to the main junction where there is constant vehicular movement. They have to cross the road and walk 50 metres towards SR Nagar to get either a bus or an autorickshaw. A traffic police official at Ameerpet said that they had to manage the crowd emerging from the Metro Rail station as there was no one else posted for the duties. They said that they were not allowing any vehicles, especially two-wheelers, to be parked near the station.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited managing director N.V.S. Reddy said, “We are finalising the parking policy, which will make things extremely easy. The movement of people seeking connectivity will be systematissed.” According to sources, HMRL is in talks with the state transport authorities to launch a bus service. Cab companies will also be allowed to set up kiosks at the Metro Rail station to make it easier for people to reach their destinations.
Metro’s movie debut put on hold
The Hyderabad Metro Rail could soon star in several films. Currently, the new transport system is attracting huge crowds, but HMR’s managing director N.V.S Reddy says once the rush lessens, permission will be given to shoot films here. “Due to heavy rush at the Metro, we cannot take the risk of allowing movie shootings now. We did permit some movies before the inaugural. After some time, when the rush lessens, film shootings will be permitted in the Metro,” he said. Akhil Akkineni’s upcoming Telugu film Hello was one the films shot in the Metro before it was inaugurated and will be the first film to feature HMR.
“We were in a unique situation where the Metro was ready and yet to be inaugurated. After a month’s coordination, we were able to start shooting. It was a wonderful and proud moment. The Metro’s standards are on par with international benchmark. The Metro authorities gave us very clear instructions and we had to strictly adhere to them,” a member of the film’s crew told Deccan Chronicle. The Metro administration is strict about security and cleanliness. They held an awareness programme for the film’s crew.
