HYDERABAD: The Institute of Urban Transport (IUT), a private body consisting of experts in the subject, has testified that Multi Modal Transit Services (MMTS) is most ideal service to promote public transport and create Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

Poser to SCR

TOD will attract people away from the roads and restrict `ribbon' development along main arteries in the city. Strongly reacting to the withdrawal of 10 services by the South Central Railways (SCR) last month, it pointed out that this decision came even as the APSRTC was considering starting night operations! IUT's Hyderabad Chapter, after it studied MMTS operations, said that if poor patronage was the sole reason for SCR to discontinue services it wondered, why additional trains were not introduced during peak hours when there was a demand.

It did not agree that APSRTC running parallel services had affected MMTS use. It was of the opinion the RTC should continue operations along the current routes to serve the high commuter demand till frequency of the trains was improved to six minutes during peak hours. It said that while trains between Hyderabad - Lingampally usually operate on time, trains passing through Secunderabad railway station encounter delays due to lack of clearance. The SCR could develop Hussainsagar junction as a key station to facilitate transfer between MMTS trains since all three lines passed through the junction.

Adjusting railway timings will result in improved connectivity once the station is constructed.IUT stressed on the need to take up phase two on a priority basis as it connected the south, east and northern parts of city. It also noted the failure of the Ministry of Railways to include the project in its budget in the last two years. The Ministry has also failed to fulfil its commitment towards purchase of rakes as only 10 were brought with Government's share of Rs. 46 crore, it alleged. Proper publicity to MMTS, issuing common commuter passes and extending services from Lingampally to Ramachandrapuram, are some of its main suggestions.

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