With metro trains in Corridor One running successfully carrying over one lakh passengers a day, the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) officials have decided to speed up ground-level work at stations, especially between Ameerpet and Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS)-Imlibun.
HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy along with senior engineers and a team of architects inspected a seven-km metro rail stretch between Punjagutta and M.J. Market covering seven stations – Punjagutta, Irrum Manzil, Khairatabad, Lakidikapul, Legislative Assembly, Nampally and Gandhi Bhavan – on the route on Sunday.
After holding on-spot deliberations and inspecting the spaces available, they decided to provide ramps at the end of footpaths, which are under construction for about 300 metres on either side of the station, for the convenience of pedestrians, senior citizens and physically-challenged persons.
Of this, five km stretch would form the ‘Heritage Precinct’ from the Police Control Room to MGBS where wide footpaths for seamless pedestrian movement are being developed with a distinct heritage theme. Wrought iron railings, classic patterns of tiles and stone for flooring, restoration of heritage structures and buildings, liberal usage of cobble stones, vintage-looking archways, street furniture, electrical fittings interspersed with sculptures, classical signage among others would form part of the development.
With regard to the development of Nampally metro station and a link to the railway station, a plan to have a covered walkway for passengers transiting from metro station to the railway station was discussed. Bus bays, auto bays, e-vehicle bays are to be created at the spot.
During the inspection, the metro officials noted encroachments on the space earmarked for footpaths and they said they would be removed between Punjagutta and Khairatabad on a priority basis. Railings and bollards would be put up to bar the entry of vehicles on the footpaths.
HMR general manager B.N. Rajeshwar was instructed by the MD to peruse the High Court stay orders for taking up construction of entry and exit at one of the arms of Khairatabad metro station. Mr. Reddy also informed that strips of government land would be acquired from the departments concerned to widen the existing footpaths at Irrum Manzil and Assembly metro stations.
Parking facilities, plantation of shade trees and ornamental plants along the footpaths are also being planned.
HMR SE Vishnuvardhan Reddy, ACP Balakrishna and others were present.