Hyderabad Metro: Project along lines of international metros

Construction work on the Hyderabad metro project is on in full swing and for which Phase-I is expected to be operational by 2017. To cash in on the demand for residential projects in the vicinity of the metro, property dealers are marketing such projects mentioning their distance from the nearest metro station. However, people who have to travel along the path through which the metro construction is going on have been put to immense inconvenience due to the dug up roads as well as metro elevations, thereby resulting in many traffic deviations.

Urban space usage as well as transit efficiency being employed:

Every city in the world has a pre-metro as well as post-metro life. Hence, there is expected to be a dramatic and radical shift in connectivity as well as easy accessibility to different areas around the city once the metro becomes operational. Urban space usage as well as transit efficiency are factors that work in the favour of the metro rail. In the case of the Hyderabad metro, every two metres occupancy at the ground level equals seven bus lanes or 24 car lanes. While a 3-car train will carry upto 1,000 passengers at a time, the metro has the capacity to carry above 50,000 passengers per hour in both directions.

Integration of metro with other transport modes:

According to the project head of the Hyderabad metro project, the general public has several queries and apprehensions regarding the project. In this context, he clarified that this project was more of an urban redesign project that just a rail project. Metro projects across several advanced countries have been researched to create a unique model both financially as well as in engineering terms. Emphasis was placed more on the usability of the project that on pushing for the lastest technology, with the concept of seamless traffic being given more importance. In this regard, the integration of the metro service with rail terminals, bus depots, MMTS stations as well as feeder buses would enable in easing transit in the city.

Metro stations being developed as social and cultural hubs:

The estimated project cost is Rs.14,132 crore, with stations being constructed at an average of every one kilometer. Hence, there would be a total of 66 stations at 63 locations, with three interchange stations. As is the concept across all major cities in the world, including the London tube, the metro stations of the Hyderabad metro rail project would also be similarly envisioned. The stations would be developed as hubs of social activity and family recreation, with provision for street furniture. Besides, they will also facilitate as venues for public art display, have bicycle tracks and various other facilities. Commuter safety has also been given utmost importance while designing the project model. In this regard considerable time has been spent to come up with facilities and procedures to ensure the safety of women, children and senior citizens.

Specifics of Phase-I of the project:

Phase-I of the project is currently being developed across three corridors covering a total distance of about 72 km. The first corridor stretches from Miyapur to LB Nagar, covering a distance of 29 rail kms, with 27 stations, and a transit time of 45 minutes. The second corridor stretches from Parade Grounds to Falaknuma, covering 15 rail kms, with 16 stations, and a transit time of 22 minutes. The third corridor stretches from Nagole to Shilparamam, covering 28 rail kms, with 23 stations and a transit time of 39 minutes. Incidentally, this is the world’s largest metro rail project being undertaken under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The first stretch of the project between Nagole and Mettuguda is expected to be operational by March, 2015.