First official trial run of metro rail in Hyderabad

Updated: 24 Dec 2015, 10:33 AM IST

1 / 6 Metro rail in Hyderabad Text: Sushil Rao, TNN



So, how is it like taking a ride on the metro rail in Hyderabad?



Sitting on the bucket seats could make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable depending your size and shape. You will have your space, no doubt, but whether it is enough or not is another question.

2 / 6 What to expect And no, don't expect it to be a cushion-ride, for the simple reason that the seats are not cushioned. But for those standing and travelling, there's enough room.



If the metro is packed with passengers on either side of you, you would really have to crane your neck if you want to look out of the compartment through the large see-through glass window.



What would make the ride worthwhile is what you get to see outside.

3 / 6 Wider appeal outside train During the maiden ride from Mettuguda to Uppal stations, the journey made you see what one never got to - huge tree cover. The large number of trees in the railway property, in the several scientific institutions up to Uppal is a treat.



On the other side one rides past the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium, also experiencing the joy of seeing the green cover in the Survey of India.



The wider appeal, as one experiences, is outside of the metro train. The AC ride in the train is passenger-friendly as announcements are made about the stops along the way on the public address system and there are single seats in the compartments earmarked for the physically handicapped.

4 / 6 Two levels To get to the train, one has to climb two levels, or take the escalator.



However, what has been noticed at the stations is as one enters the level one, there is a ticket counter and without the ticket, it is obvious one cannot get further. You will have to pass through a security check while your luggage also gets scanned.







5 / 6 No seating arrangements on platforms There are also no seating arrangements for passengers either at the first level or the second level. So if one is waiting for a train, or there are aged who want to sit, even for some time, there are no seating arrangements like one finds on railway platforms.



This could be metro style or perhaps such facilities are likely to come up. There are also huge clocks at the stations that draw your attention as you wait for your train.