I'm surprised I am heading this revolution: Hyderabad's metro man NVS Reddy

HYDERABAD: A travel time of one hour was cut down to 20 minutes, tonnes of carbon footprint was reduced, the entire city of Hyderabad was added on the global list of modern cities, became the only Indian city to be awarded the 'World Green City 2022', all after November 28,2017, five years ago when Metro Rail was launched to the people of this city. Since then, the city got on track and turned fast-paced, to match with one Hyderabadi's active lifestyle.

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) will complete five years of operation and HMRL's Managing Director, NVS Reddy, in an exclusive with NewsTAP, explained why the history of Hyderabad would be divided into two and be defined as pre and post-metro eras of the City.

Few excerpts from NewsTAP's interview with HMRL MD NVS Reddy:

Q1. How was the dream of Hyderabad Metro Rail turned into reality?

HMRL is not an engineering company. Our goal was to strengthen the public transport system, which is one of the most important aspects of any city's infrastructure. The ultimate goal was to redesign the city and make it people friendly as well as environmentally friendly through public transport. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) public transport systems were not viable for Indian cities and the only way to achieve our goal was through metros.

We considered many factors, including air-quality, livability, accessibility and what not, and five years ago when the metro started running, it was an unexplainable feeling of satisfaction. Since then, the entire city has changed. It is no less than any major city in the world. People now opt for public transport because it gives them a premium travel feeling which was earlier not the case in the city.

Q2. What is the growth story of Hyderabad metros? How did the public react to the metro?

When we started five years ago, we were less than half of what we are today. With constant planning, after studying the entire city, Hyderabad now has a 69-km metro line. Hyderabad's metro is the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-run model in the world. There are around 200 plus metros run in the world and ours is the largest.

Hyderabad public adapted to metros very quickly. What started as a few thousands of people in the initial months has now increased to four lakh plus passengers.

The metros did take a hit during Covid as they were completely non-operational for six months. We would have seen the number increase to six lakh people if not for the pandemic. However, we do expect the number to increase to more than six lakhs in the next couple of years.

Q3. Metro trains are usually busy, what are the plans for handling the rush?

Recently, the frequency of the trains was reduced to three minutes in Corridor-1 (Miyapur to LB Nagar) and Corridor-3 (Nagole to Raidurg) considering the consistency of rush in these lines throughout the day. In Corridor-2 (JBS to MGBS) the frequency is seven minutes as the flow of passengers is less.

HMRL operates 57 trains, each having three coaches. Currently, these trains run 1,000 trips per day. Depending on the increase in footfall, we will consider increasing the number of coaches.

Q4. What are the security arrangements at metros?

There are 1,300 security personnel employed by HMRL across the city. More are employed by L&T. They are well trained about the security procedures and protocols. Since metro stations are main targets of miscreants, the security personnel are always on alert-mode.

There are over 50 cameras at every metro station that give a 360 degree surveillance. Not just our security teams, the police are also connected to these cameras and keep a watch on all metro stations, at all times.

Q5. How are the loco pilots equipped?

There is a rigorous process of selecting and training the metro pilots. The pilots need to have a B-tech degree and more importantly the skill and spontaneity to assess and handle all types of situations. The pilots also undergo various psychometric tests and training.

I also proudly say that we have a good number of women pilots running our metros. We plan on starting something for women soon too.

Q6. Is Hyderabad Metro Airport Limited part of Phase 2 of HMRL?

Metro's connectivity to RGIA is part of Phase 2 proposal, which was recently sent to the Government of India. It is a 62-km project divided into two corridors - One connecting the Airport to Raidurg, via the Outer Ring Road and two from BHEL to Lakdi ka Pul. Works on this would start as soon as the Centre approves the project.

Q7. Will there be a difference in the pricing of the tickets?

A three-judge bench, Fare Fixation Committee, headed by Rtd Advocate G Shyam Sundar and consisting of SK Badge ( an IAS officer from Government of India) and Arvind Kumar (IAS, Spl Chief Secretary Urban development, Hyderabad), was formed to decide the change in pricing.

They are taking public opinion in this matter and by January 2023, they would give their decision. HMRL has no say in this as it is their decision which is being taken based on the public's opinion.

Q8. How does it feel to be Hyderabad's metro man!? 16 years and counting as the head of something so prestigious?

It is an extremely great feeling. I took charge in 2007 and since then, I saw five Chief Ministers and 15 Chief Secretaries change. However, it surprises me that I am still heading this revolution. Many people also criticised my term in the position, but they later realised that it was merely my work and dedication that has kept me in this position. I was offered to be a joint secretary in the Government of India, get paid in crores in private companies, but I chose to stay here because of the work that I could do. I was able to play a major role in a revolutionary change. I was able to make split second decisions and control difficult situations, something that would not have been possible at GoI. It was a beautiful journey for me.