Hyderabadis beat sunrise for a historic experience
Hyderabadis beat sunrise for a historic experience - Times of India
Nirupa Vatyam | TNN | Nov 30, 2017, 08:37 IST
HYDERABAD: Sixty-two-year old Sarojini travelled all the way from Secunderabad to Miyapur on Wednesday to experience travelling in a Metro train. After her trip on day one, she proudly claimed that the Metro here is much better than the one she took in Paris or London and that the view from inside the train was amazing. "I am staying in this city for the last 40 years and have seen it growing in front of my eyes. So, when they opened Metro for the public for the first time today, I wanted to take the ride and felt that it is better than one in foreign countries.
There, most of the Metros run underground and there is nothing to see outside," Sarojini R, a retired government teacher said, adding that she liked it very much. Like Sarojini, thousands of Hyderabadis thronged the stations and started lining up as early as 5.30am to take their maiden ride. "I have to travel to LB Nagar to visit a relative and what's best than taking a Metro. One disappointing thing for me, however, is they have charged full fare (Rs 60) for my five-year-old son," said Uma Shanker, who resides in Beeramguda. His son Sai Ram, who is studying in class 1, said that he had to bunk his school post lunch for the ride and said that he would have enjoyed the ride better if he had got a place to sit.
While many Hyderabadis enjoyed the ride and loved the experience, they said that over the next few days craze would fade away and people will think twice about spending so much on a public mode of transport. "I had to pay Rs 25 to travel from Kukatpally to Miyapur, whereas in a bus, even if I take a luxury one, it would hardly cost me Rs 12. There was so much rush that I had to spend a lot of time in the queue to buy a ticket. I would have reached Miyapur by then," said Dr Raghu, who has a dental clinic in Miyapur and Kukatapally. He further added, "Today, I was happy to pay as I wanted to experience, but sure won't take the Metro daily as it is not feasible."
A few passengers,who reached the station to take a ride went back saying that there is too much crowd. "I reached Miyapur to take a ride. But there was too much crowd and thought it was wise to ride some other day. On my way back, I picked a smart card for future use," said Vijay Kumar, a resident of Bachupally
Hyderabadis beat sunrise for a historic experience - Times of India