Travellers enjoy first Hyderabad Metro ride after five months

HYDERABAD: Even the fear of coronavirus could not dampen the enthusiasm of passengers trooping into the Metro station on Monday morning when Hyderabad Metro Rail services resumed operations on the 29-km Corridor I (Red Line) between Miyapur and LB Nagar after over five months.
Following the Covid-19 guidelines, markings to ensure physical distancing, pedal-operated sanitisers, temperature checks and safety announcements greeted passengers on resumption of the services.
Around 7am, the first Metro post-lockdown, towards Miyapur started its trip, with many passengers seen taking selfies. All passengers were responsible enough to maintain physical distancing and wear face masks throughout their journey.
With trains every five minutes between 7am and 12 noon and 4pm to 9pm, Hyderabad Metro Rail will ferry only 300 passengers, which is one third of its carrying capacity, for the three-coach trains.
Supraja Chowdhary, a commuter at Miyapur Metro Station, said, “I am really happy to be travelling in the Metro again. Since there is no rush, it was easier than pre-Covid days when passengers used to struggle for a seat.”
“I was spending nearly Rs 400 every day to travel in autos and cabs. The resumption of Metro will save me at least Rs 300 every day,” said K Harish, a commuter who travelled from LB Nagar to Miyapur.
TOI’s visit to LB Nagar and Miyapur stations revealed that only asymptomatic people were being allowed to board trains and enter stations.
“We are happy that we were permitted to resume services. We are taking all precautions and are strictly following the Covid-19 guidelines,” said NVS Reddy, managing director, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited.