Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) claimed that sensitive equipment cannot withstand pollution in the winter. As a result, official sources claim, the Metro Rail service will face service interruptions during the next few months.
In order to beat the early morning smog, HMRL set back the timing of the first train by half an hour. The first train will move out at 6.30 am in winter.
HMRL sources say that most of their equipment are very sensitive and do not suit Indian conditions. The pollution levels have increased due to smog (mix of smoke and fog) and would only worsen as people burn garbage to keep warm on the streets.
Sources said that the HMRL could not find a solution for the pollution-related outages. The HMRL predicts a series of interruptions until March. Officials will try and keep the services running on schedule as best they can under the circumstances.
Officials said that HMRL has been in touch with the service engineers who were asked to find a permanent solution for the metro interruptions caused by pollution.
“Though the HMRL has been trying to upgrade the equipment to suit local conditions, it could barely adapt. The HMRL authorities have been still chalking out plans to find the right equipment to suit Hyderabadi conditions,” the official added.
