Hyderabad Metro Rail to run more trips

Hyderabad, May 09: Hyderabad Metro Rail authorities are likely to increase the frequency of the three-car trains to four minutes a train from the current seven-eight minutes once the Ameerpet-HiTec City line becomes operational later this year, most likely from October onwards.

Ever since the frequency of trains was increased from 15 minutes to 8 minutes, between Miyapur-Ameerpet and Nagole-Ameerpet, respectively, of the 30 km inaugural stretch from last month, the number of passengers has risen appreciably.

"From an average of 50,000 passengers a day the number has increased to 70,000 a day on weekdays along with the number of services increasing to 540 from both directions.

“We are confident the number will only rise as we open more lines for commissioning," said HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy.

Buoyant with the response, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) has reduced the train waiting time at the stations from 20 seconds to 10 seconds while maintaining 45 seconds halt at the Ameerpet interchange station connecting Corridor One (Red Line - Miyapur to L.B. Nagar) and Corridor Three (Blue line - Nagole to Hi-Tec City).

"We are now doing Nagole-Miyapur in 52 minutes," beamed L&TMRH Chief Operating Officer Anil Kumar Saini, in a recent interaction. Sale of smart cards has crossed the two lakh mark (2.2 lakh) in the last five months with daily sale going up to 800 cards.

The matter of monthly passes will take more time as the concentration is on completing and commissioning the remaining sections.