Governor urges people to use Metro to help reduce pollution
With the opening of LB Nagar stretch, a total of 46km metro is now operational
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan urged Hyderabadis to use the Metro Rail extensively as it would reduce pollution and fuel consumption. He was speaking after inaugurating the Metro Rail stretch from LB Nagar to Ameerpet on Monday. With the LB Nagar stretch opening up, a total of 46 kilometres of metro rail is now operational. The complete stretch is 72 kilometres.
Mr Narasimhan said, “I have set a deadline of December 15 for the completion of the Hitec City route which will ensure that there is proper connectivity from one stretch to the other.”
“Make Metro your habit as it is not the government’s Metro, it’s the people’s Metro,” the Governor said and added “My dream is to have a single pay card which will facilitate travel by Metro and bus, shopping and provides all amenities.”
He said that there might be certain inconvenience, but asked the people to use it and provide the feedback. He said, “As a Governor I use Metro and there is hardly any inconvenience. At Miyapur, lot of evening walkers enjoy the amenities. This is a great Metro and we want everyone to use Metro,” Mr Narasimhan said.
The Ameerpet-LB Nagar Metro stretch was to be started last month but there was a delay in the clearance of the safety certificate by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety. That is why the works on the Hitec City stretch are being carried out swiftly to meet the deadline of December 15 set by the Governor.
The Ameerpet-Hi-tech stretch will connect the city to the main IT Hub which it is hoped will ease traffic. The Ameerpet-LB Nagar stretch was made operational for the general public from 6 pm on Monday.
Governor Narasimhan also stressed on the amenities and facilities that are going to be provided at the Metro stations for the people.
The stations will be beautified and will be a tourist attraction like the Miyapur station which is crowded, especially by families, in the evening.
This is the second largest Metro in the country axnd the biggest public private partnership project where the central government has given `3,000 crore and the state government `1,450 crore. The investment by L&T Metro Rail is `12,000 crore.