Hyderabad metro launches user charges for utilizing toilets at select metro stations

On Saturday, the Hyderabad Metro Rail introduced user charges for using toilets at select metro stations with high foot traffic. Sulabh International has been entrusted with the maintenance of toilets and the collection of user charges at these metro stations. It has been decided that commuters at metro stations will be charged Rs 2 for using urinals and Rs 5 for using toilets. HMR officials confirmed the decision to collect user charges from commuters at metro stations.

Meanwhile, the reaction to the decision to collect charges from the general public has been mixed, with many criticizing it while others claiming that the user charges would go a long way toward maintaining public restrooms in metro stations, especially those that receive a large number of commuters on a daily basis.

Metro Rail Phase III works to be taken up in BRS third term

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao said that the BRS government would take up the third phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project after coming to power for the third consecutive time in the Assembly elections in December this year. The government would consider extending the Metro Rail up to Ramoji Film City and other parts of the city in Phase III.

While the proposed Airport metro corridor would be finished in three years, he stated that efforts were being made to complete the pending works of the first phase of the Metro Rail in the Old City as soon as possible.

In response to a question from MLC Egge Mallesham and MS Prabhakar Rao during Question Hour in the Legislative Council here on Sunday, the Minister stated that the expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail was prioritised and would be done in stages. The first phase saw the completion of 69 km of the total 72 km of construction. “We are completing the project as a priority notwithstanding the Centre’s non-cooperation and delay in release of funds,” he said.