Managing Director of HMRL NVS Reddy “Hyderabad Metro Rail project is aimed at transforming Hyderabad as a safe and people friendly green city with emphasis on high quality public spaces.
While speaking in a panel discussion on “Examining the role of technology, Government and the private sector in re(building) a smart city” held by McKinsey Global Institute at Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad late evening, Reddy stressed the importance of an efficient public transportation system for a smart city and the role of citizens in it.
He urged the corporates to join hands with Government in the transformation of Hyderabad as a global city as per the vision of Chief Minister Mr.K.Chandrasekhar Rao.
MD, HMRL stated that cities should not be built for cars but have to be built for women, children, senior citizens, differently abled and all sections of people. He pointed out that currently 40 lakh vehicles are plying on Hyderabad roads and every year 4 lakh vehicles are getting added, leaving no space for citizens to walk. And as a result of this, people are being deprived of space for walking and it is affecting their health with air and noise pollution.
Explaining the Hyderabad Metro project, MD HMRL indicated that technology is not for technology sake, but it should serve the needs of the people and provide technical solutions for socio-economic problems and poverty. Illustrating how latest technologies have been harnessed to build the project, he said that Hyderabad Metro Rail is an example for engineering and financial innovation. Sidewalks and skywalks will be built to connect nearby schools, offices, hospitals and private properties directly to Metro stations, added Mr. Reddy. And to provide last mile connectivity, Metro Rail stations will have feeder bus services and bicycle facilities to nearby residential colonies, offices and shopping areas. He also added multi modal connectivity is provided with integration of Metro with main railway stations, MMTS stations and bus depots. (NSS)