Hyderabad: The metro system requires some discipline from users if it is to transport people safely. On the first day of operations, though, this was sorely lacking.
Instructions to stand behind the yellow line on the platform for safety reasons were ignored by commuters and the staff and security had a tough time enforcing the rule.
Announcements were also constantly made to please allow people to get off the train first, before boarding it, but scant attention was paid to this too.
At the Ameerpet interchanging station, six extra staffers were employed to ensure that people were allowed to get off the train first.
The coaches were packed. One coach can seat 30 commuters, and the rest have to stand in the aisle. So many people boarded the trains that they spilled into the area close to the door, despite announcements against it.
Raza Sheikh who was travelling with his wife was upset when he was asked to move further inside. “Where is the place? How can I go further in when people are standing so close to each other?” he shot back.
Some passengers were annoyed at the huge number of photographs that were being clicked inside the train.
Ruksar Abbasi, a metro worker, said, “We have been constantly telling people to not click photographs but no one is listening.”
Vishalakshi Madhavan from Begumpet said, “When I heard that the left door would be opening, I informed the passenger who was leaning on the door, but she got angry as she was enjoying the view.”
Manish Datta, who travelled from Prakashnagar to Ameerpet, said he took the ride today because he was curious as the station was visible from his office terrace. “I found there were too many travellers like myself. In the initial days, they will need to have marshals inside to prevent people from standing close to the doors.”
