HMR eyes integrated transport

To provide ‘seamless travel facility’ for Metro Rail commuters in Twin Cities, Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. (HMR) entered into an agreement with IIT, Delhi, entrusting the latter with study of integration of different modes of transport and provision of pedestrian facilities, cycling and other non-motorized transport (NMT) facilities etc., at Metro Rail stations.

The feasibility study costing Rs 19 lakh which was sanctioned by  the government of India under JNNURM scheme will make Hyderabad Metro Rail project a better model in the country and will facilitate redesigningHyderabad city as an eco-friendly city with less carbon emissions,  HMR managing director, NVS Reddy said.As a part of the study, IIT, Delhi will identify interchange points of different modes of transport, pedestrian access facilities within half-a-kilometre to one-kilometre distance from Metro Rail stations; cycling and other NMT access requirements within 3 km from Metro stations.Access facilities for transfer of passengers from bus stops; MMTS stations and railway terminals to and from Metro Rail stations will be identified.

Based on the expected passenger loads at each Metro station, IIT, Delhi will suggest pedestrian access facilities to Metro Rail stations, provision of footpaths and bicycle tracks, parking facilities at  and near the Metro stations and sky-walks below the Metro Rail viaduct.The sky-walks as in Bangkok will give direct access and landing into the nearby office and shopping complexes, malls, school buildings, multiplexes etc., apart from facilitating safe crossing of junctions.

“The study report will be prepared within five months” ,said  Reddy.