The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) continued to witness a heavy rush on the second day after it began commercial operations, as citizens refused to stop pouring in.
According to reports, more than 50,000 commuters travelled in the HMR by 4pm on Thursday itself.
Many, said that the Metro had cut down their travelling time, by a great deal.
“I live in Khairatabad and work in Patancheru. It takes over one hour by bus. I am travelling on Metro for the first time. If it is feasible and saves me time, I am planning to switch to this,” Rohit, a first-time commuter, who works in a pharmaceutical company, told The Hindu.
However, many also had complaints. Starting with the long queues to purchase tokens and smart cards, first-time travellers also needed constant assistance from Metro staff. The queue is only expected to get longer over the next two days, as it will be the first weekend since the Metro was launched.
#HyderabadMetro After waiting all this year's ,on the first day vending machines are under maintenance on both sides and even baggage checking is not working@kphb station #nothappy
— gangadheeraj (@gangadheeraj) November 29, 2017
Many users also took to social media, to complain that there was a shortage of dustbins at Metro stations. While eatables are not allowed on board the train, several stations still had an insufficient amount of dustbins.
Traveled from Ameerpet to Secunderabad East in Metro today in exactly 15 mins. Thank you Hyderabad! Proud! #HyderabadMetro
— Sushmitha (@HumaraHyderabad) November 29, 2017
Sincere request to provide dustbins in the stations. Already saw plastic covers and waste on the brand new platforms. @KTRTRS @HMDA_Gov
Hyderabad metro rail, where are your dustbin’s??? Your employees couldn’t answer!!! @Itmhyd @hmrgov #HyderabadMetroRail #HyderabadMetro #swachhtelangana #swachhhyderabad #SwachhBharat
— Sowdari Uday Reddy (@udayakanthreddy) November 30, 2017
Others pointed out that there was a lack of parking space at some of the stations, which led to commuters parking their vehicle by the side of the road.
It’s a huge success. But, I have few suggestiont that need to improve T Savari app and parking place allocation. #HyderabadMetro #hyderabadmetrorail
— Yeswanth Reddy (@yeswanth86) November 30, 2017
@KTRTRS The common compliant everyone has regards to Metro is parking facilities near stations and high ticket prices..
— Himavanth V (@v_himavanth) November 30, 2017
Government has to look into this immediately and make public transportation more affordable and convenient...#HyderabadMetro
Reports suggest that only 12 out of 24 stations at present, have designated parking slots at stations, which has been resulting in a traffic nightmare.
The first day of the HMR's launch saw long queues and packed trains, as several people had stepped in just for the experience. Several residents of the city, young and old alike, were seen taking selfies and enjoying the ride.
The stations were packed since the first ride at 6am, and continued to be crowded till late in the evening.
HMR Managing Director NVS Reddy also travelled around the stations, taking feedback from the public on Tuesday, and overseeing all operations.
Earlier this week, Hyderabad joined the league of Indian cities to get its own metro, with the inauguration of the first phase in this historical city by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also took a ride from Miyapur to Kukatpally stations.
The 30 km-long first phase from Nagole to Miyapur has 24 stations covering several busy clusters and city landmarks, including the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Osmania University, Secunderabad Railway Station and major commercial hubs like Begumpet and Ameerpet.
MD, HMRL Mr.NVS Reddy travelling in Metro train from Begumpet to Nagole and interacting with passengers at Metro stations on 30.11.2017. pic.twitter.com/RUPWVbTDI4
— Hyderabad Metro Rail (@hmrgov) November 30, 2017
MD, HMRL Mr.NVS Reddy travelling in Metro train from Begumpet to Nagole and interacting with passengers at Metro stations on 30.11.2017. pic.twitter.com/Hk4FzNQsbI
— Hyderabad Metro Rail (@hmrgov) November 30, 2017
IANS inputs