The 30 km-long first phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project between Miyapur and Nagole having 24 stations, was flagged off by the PM at Miyapur station.
The long-cherished dream of the citizens of Hyderabad for a rapid transit metro rail system to escape from the ever-increasing cumbersome traffic snarls became a reality on Tuesday afternoon when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Hyderabad Metro Rail and dedicated it to the nation.
The 30 km-long first phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project between Miyapur and Nagole having 24 stations, was flagged off by the Prime Minister at Miyapur station.
The commercial operations of the metro commence from Wednesday.
The Prime Minister, who arrived by a special IAF plane at Begumpet airport, reached Miyapur Station in an IAF helicopter. He was accompanied by Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.
Upon his arrival at the Miyapur metro station, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao and other dignitaries. Modi launched the metro rail project by unveiling a pylon. Later, accompanied by all the VIPs, he entered the station and inaugurated it by cutting a ribbon.
He then proceeded in a lift to the upper deck of the station where he saw a PowerPoint presentation on the rail project. He also unveiled a mobile app named T-Savari.
The Prime Minister and other dignitaries then boarded a train for the first run of the Hyderabad Metro, from Miyapur to Kukatpally Station, and returned, travelling a distance of 12 km in 10 minutes.
Interestingly, the inaugural train was driven by a woman driver.
During the train ride, the Governor, Chief Minister, some ministers, BJP State president K Laxman, BJP Assembly Floor Leader G Kishan Reddy, and minister K T Rama Rao explained to Modi the salient features of the entire metro project, and the special features of the train.
After inaugurating the metro, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Governor and the Chief Minister, left by helicopter to the HICC, the venue for GES 2017.
The Hyderabad Metro Project is divided into three corridors, and the first phase was inaugurated by the Prime Minister today. The first phase extends from Miyapur in north Hyderabad on corridor one and to Nagole in the eastern side of the city which is part of corridor two. The elevated metro rail project has stations located at a distance of one km from the next, feeder bus services, parking facilities at strategic locations and connectivity with other modes of transport.
The metro project, which started in July 2012, was scheduled to have been completed by June this year, but was delayed due to to various hiccups, and ultimately got going today. The 2-km elevated stretch is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Earlier, the Prime Minister landed at the Begumpet airport in a special IAF plane. He was accorded a warm welcome by Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, cabinet ministers and TRS leaders, and also the BJP state president Laxman, BJP Assembly Floor Leader G Kishan Reddy and other party leaders.
After the welcome by the state authorities, the Prime Minister proceeded to a special area on the airport premises where the state BJP had organized a reception, and addressed the party cadre of about 3,000.
Later, he left by helicopter to inaugurate the metro at Miyapur.