Metro Rail, a boon or a bane for Hyderabadis?

You are late to office again! The boss is furious and can't take your traffic excuse anymore! How you wish the metro project in Hyderabad could be fast-tracked and ready in a jiffy! Which time and age are we living in you ask yourself, considering all the metros of the world have a fairly effective mass transit system to meet the daily commuting needs of millions of citizens!

However, you must wait for some more time before travelling in a metro train actually becomes a reality in the city.
But you still don't lose heart, you are contented by the fact that you can avoid the traffic and have a safe travel at least in future. But the news that you will now hear is not that good!
Although the State Government has made tall claims that the metro rail will reduce traffic snarls in the city, it now looks as though the claims may not match the facts on the ground.
As if the mess in terms of bad roads and traffic congestion created by the massive construction activity is not enough, the problems are mounting, experts feel.
In fact, soon after the metro rail was proposed, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had clearly stated that the concept of metro rail was simply not feasible for the Nawabi city! This is especially true of the Secunderabad-Hi-Tec City corridor.
The official consultant of the Hyderabad Metro project had in 2011 itself ruled out the possibility of Hyderabad having a metro project, given the city's mountainous terrain and many flyovers along the way. As is evident during drive, most parts of the city are full of ups and downs.
Thus, even after the completion of metro construction, commuters on bikes and cars will be forced to squeeze their way between the pillars between flyover and the metro rail! if a major portion of the road is occupied by both, what remains can only be left to one's imagination. Major intersections will  be even more chaotic during the peak hours in terms of traffic congestion.
It is also being said that the Government has given a nod to L&T, the developer of the metro rail in Hyderabad, to jack up ticket fares during peak hours! So, forget escaping traffic jams, there's no sign of even commuters saving any money considering it will pinch their pockets!
Thus, Metro rail in our city may be the most affordable of options. Besides, road widening to accommodate more space for the metro project and the flyovers has already eaten up the space of commercial establishments set up around the area.
If you are wondering what happens next? Well, your guess is as good as mine!
Reshmi@sakshipost