KEY TRANSPORT: The rush for a local train on a busy day. — Photo: P.V.Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Commuters using local trains between Bolarum and Falaknuma can now expect to reach their destinations on time as the much-awaited Seetaphalmandi-Malkajgiri chord line has commenced.

The works are expected to be completed by September.

Once the chord line is laid, local trains bound to Falaknuma from Bolarum and vice versa do not have to halt at Secunderabad station, thereby saving both time and distance travelled between the two stations.

Outer signal

The Hyderabad Division of the South Central Railway (SCR) is taking up the works at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.48 crores. In what should take less than 10 minutes for the commuters to reach Secunderabad from Malkajgiri in a local train, it takes nearly 30 minutes to reach the destination, due to delay in clearance at outer signal of Secunderabad near Rail Nilayam.

Personal transport

With the delay becoming a regular feature, many regular commuters, including schoolteachers and employees of both private and public sector, are now opting either for personal transport or city buses.

As a result, local trains that were once packed to the brim are now running almost empty.

The present single line that connects Seetaphalmadi and Lallaguda caters only to goods trains.

Construction of the chord line will be taken up in two phases. While work on the Seetaphalmandi-Malkajgiri line (600 metres track) will be completed by June, that on the Moula Ali-Malkajgiri (5.4 kilometres track) is expected to be completed by September, said Hyderabad Divisional Railway Manager Rajiv Vishnoi.

"Not only local trains but express trains coming from Kazipet and Kacheguda sides that need not have to stop at Secunderabad station can now pass through this stretch, aiding in the reduction of congestion at Secunderabad," said Mr.Vishnoi.

Even as the Seetaphalmandi-Malkajgiri line is laid, we will run some local trains on this line to make it a stress-free journey for commuters, he added.

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