Hyderabad: Metro comes to a grinding halt

Hyderabad: Exactly a month after Metro trains were stopped, the passengers were in for a rude shock on Tuesday. The Metro trains heading towards Ameerpet Station came to a grinding halt after a short circuit between Ameerpet and Madhuranagar led to the stoppage in the evening.

The pantograph of a train got entangled with overhead electrical lines, leading to the stoppage, according to Hyderabad Metro Rail officials. Passengers were seen walking on the tracks at Ameerpet Metro station and services were halted for over 20 minutes.

L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited tweeted: "We have a disruption in our blue line due to a technical failure. We will start our services in 15 minutes. We regret the inconvenience caused."

Thousands of passengers took to Twitter to vent their anger. Chandra Shekar Palle, tweeted: "Here you go Hyderabad Metro disappointed with unexpected stop for 20 minutes in Yousufguda. You don't deserve awards."

Another passenger Gouru Samanth tagged KTR, complaining that he was stranded at Durgam Cheruvu for an hour. NVS Reddy, the HMRL MD, said, "Pantograph of a train which draws power from the overhead electrical traction system got entangled with overhead electrical line between Begumpet & Ameerpet stations on the up line.

Trains are being run on the other line in single line method carefully in restricted mode & rectification works of the affected line are going on says officials." However, thousands of passengers were stranded at Hi-Tec City Metro station. Raghu, a passenger said, "Announcements were made at the Hi-Tec station asking passengers to leave the station and make own arrangements. It was plain disgusting."

Many commuters, especially employees on their way back home, were caught unawares. Madhulika K, a software employee, said, "I waited for more than an hour at Hi-Tec City station. HMR talks about last mile connectivity, but I need to take two autos apart from the metro to reach my destination."