Hyderabad MMTS commuters face hardship boarding trains
HYDERABAD: Residents relying on the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) for affordable travel are facing growing inconvenience. Irregular train schedules and prolonged halts at stations due to goods train movements are adding to commuter difficulties.
Officials of South Central Railway raised track levels as part of line-strengthening works. However, platform heights at several MMTS stations were not increased accordingly. As a result, passengers now have to climb nearly three-and-a-half feet from the platform to board trains.
Women, elderly and children struggle during boarding and alighting
Passengers say the problem is severe while getting down, especially for women travelling with children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. “Though the service is inexpensive, climbing up and down the train causes knee pain,” commuters said.
Around 30,000 to 40,000 people travel daily in 75 MMTS trains operating on routes such as Uma Nagar–Ramachandrapuram, Lingampalli–Nampally, Medchal–Secunderabad and Ghatkesar–Sanathnagar. Except at major terminals and upgraded Amrit Bharat stations such as Begumpet and Hitec City, platforms at most MMTS stops remain low.
Commuters urge railway officials to address safety concerns
Low platform height has also made travel unsafe. At some stations, wallets, mobile phones and other belongings slip from passengers’ pockets onto the tracks while boarding or alighting. Some commuters step onto the tracks to retrieve them, risking accidents, while others abandon their belongings.
Youth carrying luggage, besides elderly passengers and women, have also faced mishaps while boarding trains. Representatives of MMTS commuter associations have urged South Central Railway officials to improve punctuality and raise platform heights to reduce inconvenience.
