Hyderabad: Over the past few days, several users of MMTS services have complained that trains are getting delayed very often, sometimes by as much as an hour. Users have tweeted to South Central Railway (SCR) asking for the matter to be rectified.
It is learnt that the massive rush during the Sankrathi season has put far too much of a load on the rail network in the zone. SCR has run 450 special trains to handle the crowds, and it seems these trains are given precedence over MMTS trains when on the same track. G Sreekanth Yadav said on Twitter that trains between Lingampalli and Faluknuma were late by nearly an hour. Another user noted that the mobile app used by commuters to track the trains’ running status was not updated in time. Another user complained about the disproportionately large coverage given to the Hyderabad Metro in the media. “Even a small snag in a Metro train is given so much coverage. Don’t MMTS trains deserve any attention?” he asked.
Mr Noor, general secretary of the Suburban Train and Bus Travellers Association, an organisation that represents MMTS commuters, said, “MMTS trains are always given the least preference while on the track. SCR ran many special trains during Sankranthi. Whenever one of these trains is near an MMTS train, it gets the right of way.”
Mr Noor said the problem was exacerbated by the normal congestion in the rail network within SCR. “We have only two tracks here, which are used by suburban, express, passenger and even goods trains. And historically, SCR has given less priority to suburban services. So it is no wonder MMTS trains are running late,” he said. He added that this was not the case in Mumbai zone for example where local trains are given preference over other trains.
He said the issue would be resolved, to an extent, once the busy season ends in a few days.
