Tracks are ready, but Hyderabad Metro is not on track for June 2 start

Hyderabad: With no official communication from the state government to Hyderabad Metro Rail, it is not clear whether the service from Miyapur to SR Nagar will start on June 2, the State Formation Day.

While the rail infrastructure is ready, much work needs to be done on parking areas, cycle and scooter stations and other facilities.

At various forums in February and March, Hyderabad Metro Rail managing director N.V.S. Reddy had stated that the service would start mid-2017.

However, on May 19, minister K.T. Rama Rao said in a tweet: “Metro will run actively on 59 km by year-end. It will start in phases.”

A senior HMR officer on condition of anonymity said the stretch from Miyapur to SR Nagar was ready in terms of station and concourse area. The safety clearance certificate had been obtained and trial runs had been carried out, he said. Land for parking of vehicles had been handed over to L&T Metro Rail and work was being carried out for multi-level parking.

A senior officer said, “We will have to study the travel pattern and the number of places where there are large exits and entries to determine parking zones. Work on bus bays has started. The tie-ups with companies for bike and scooter stations have been initiated and will fall into place once the service starts.”

Street-scaping was undertaken at Metro Rail stations in April. Encroachments over 2 km of roads were removed between Miyapur and Hydernagar to make way for bus bays and bike stations. A children’s play area and exercise zone has been demarcated and are being developed. When contacted about the timeline, Mr Reddy said it was not possible to comment on the start of the Metro Rail and it was for the government to decide. Officials of L&T Metro Rail refused comment.

Stations from Miyapur to SR Nagar
Miyapur; JNTU; KPHB; Kukatpally; Balanagar; Moosapet; Bharatnagar; Erragadda; ESI Hospital; SR Nagar
Land for parking handed over to L&T Facilities need to be created:
Miyapur: Open land — 5 acres
Balanagar: Huda truck terminal: 2 acres
Kukatpally: Acquired school land of 1 acre
Yousufguda: Gallery. 0.80 acres
Parking facilities to be set up by Hyderabad Metro Rail limited. Work is yet to start at: Yousufguda Madhuranagar