HYDERABAD: Cities have to be made human-oriented rather than just development-oriented as more and more people are migrating to cities for opportunities, observed K Keshava Rao, MP.
“Migration to Hyderabad is increasing by 17 per cent per year and policy makers have to consult and keep in mind the aspirations and needs of people from all strata of society while building a smart city,” opined Rao, while speaking at NextGen cities conclave held here Wednesday.
Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) managing director NVS Reddy stressed that HMR was not just a mass rail rapid transport system but an effort in the direction of redesigning Hyderabad. “HMR focuses on space efficiency and energy efficiency. One metro rail line will take the traffic load of seven road lines and 24 car lines thus ensuring space efficiency. Even in case of energy efficiency, HMR is five times more efficient than road transport as it just consumes one fifth of energy consumed by road transport,” explained NVS Reddy.
Metro Rail is being constructed with a people-centric approach to address the needs of people belonging to all sections. Care is also being taken to reflect Telangana heritage and culture, he said.
A multi-model transport system is being designed integrating metro rail routes with bus bays. Even skywalks are being planned to connect buildings on either side of metro rail lines, for easy commuting from one side to another without getting down from metro station to the ground, he said.
“Sky walks will be built in later stages of HMR after laying of metro rail lines. Even 18.5 million square feet of built up space will be provided at metro stations for setting up malls and other utilities to cater to people’s needs,” stated HMR MD.
Highlighting that providing urban amenities like underground drainage system and waste management have become major challenges, B Janardhan Reddy, commissioner and director of Municipal Administration, stressed that people’s participation was needed for making cities smarter.
Telangana State Planning Commission Board vice-chairman S Niranjan Reddy, Sudhir Krishna, former secretary, ministry of urban development, Government of India, among others were present on the occasion.