The first phase of passenger service of Hyderabad Metro will be flagged off in the first half of 2016. Speaking at the end of the first commuter trial run between Mettuguda and Uppal, IT and Panchayat Raj Minister K.T. Rama made this announcement on Friday at the Nagole Metro Depot after the trial run.
“The Metro Rail project is on schedule despite the hiccups and we are sure that the whole project will be completed on time. There were misgivings about alignment both at Sultan Bazaar as well as near the Assembly but they have been ironed out as there are no other alternatives available. And we are going to pay the best possible compensation to the traders in Sultan Bazaar and it will turn into a hub for hawkers,” he said.
“We finished the trip in seven minutes while it would have taken at least half an hour for the same distance. I expect that the first segment of the Metro will be inaugurated for public use in the first half of 2016 easing some of the congestion on the city roads,” he said.
Comparing Hyderabad with Delhi, Mr. Rama Rao said: “Delhi has a population of 5 crore. Hyderabad has 1 crore. Right now, the Metro’s planned length is 72 km. We want another 78 km to help more commuters switch over to this green mode of transport”.
