Metro Rail has become the preferred choice for citizens: HMR MD Premium

HYDERABAD

Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) has become the traffic lifeline and vital part of everyday commuting for citizens of the twin cities. The indefatigable Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy has been there — planning and constructing the project across the three dense traffic corridors between Miyapur-L.B. Nagar (Corridor 1 or Red Line), Raidurg-Nagole (Corridor 3 or Blue Line) and JBS-MGBS (Corridor 2 or Green Line), defying political, economical and social odds. He is also overseeing the daily running of the 69.2-km public transport system. In this freewheeling interview, the Managing Director looks back and towards the future of metro rail travel.

Congratulations! If constructing the world’s largest PPP (Public, Private Partnership) project was challenging, how has been the running of the service in the last 5 years?

While constructing the world’s largest metro rail project in PPP mode against innumerable hurdles was itself a humongous challenge, running the services in the last five years has been equally challenging. Our operations and maintenance staff are on their toes 24/7 to keep the system running. Since it’s midnight by the time the system is closed for operations and by 4 a.m. the preparation for the morning services starts, we are left with only four hours for maintenance activity.

Apart from COVID induced shutdowns, has metro rail transport become the way of life for people of the twin cities?

Yes. Metro rail has become a preferred choice for the denizens as a reliable and a safe commute option and it’s a matter of tremendous satisfaction for us.

What are the usual brickbats and bouquets you get from commuters?

Urban commuters are in general a very demanding lot. Whilst a silent majority appreciate our efforts and service, a vocal minority bombard us in social media and through other channels of communication at the slightest disruption or discomfort.