The Telangana government has given former Hyderabad Metro Rail managing director N.V.S. Reddy additional responsibilities covering the operations and maintenance of the existing Hyderabad Metro network, as well as coordination on a common ticketing system with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation and other public transport modes.
The responsibilities were assigned through an order issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. Reddy will coordinate with Metro Rail additional managing director B. Ajith Reddy to ensure that Phase-I Metro Rail operations and maintenance are carried out in accordance with standard safety and operations and maintenance requirements.
The order places the existing Metro system’s operational performance at the centre of Reddy’s additional role. His work will involve coordination with the Metro Rail leadership on maintaining the network and ensuring that operations follow the applicable safety and maintenance requirements.
Reddy has also been tasked with working towards the introduction of daily, weekly and monthly Metro Rail passes. These passes may be offered independently by the Metro system or jointly with the RTC, according to the report. The proposal creates an administrative link between Hyderabad Metro ticketing and the bus network operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.
The common ticketing responsibility extends beyond the Metro and RTC relationship. Reddy will coordinate the proposed system with TGSRTC and other modes of public transport, although the order does not specify a launch date, fare structure, technology platform or the agencies that will operate the integrated system.
The government has assigned Reddy a wider advisory role in traffic and transport planning across the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area. He will provide inputs for traffic and transportation-related works and projects of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the Cantonment Municipal Corporation, the Miyapur Municipal Corporation, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, the Future City Development Authority and other civic organisations.
The order also requires him to guide civic bodies in preparing plans for improved urban mobility. In addition, he will advise Metro Rail organisations on operations, expansion plans and other activities. The assignment therefore combines oversight of the existing network with inputs into future transport planning and Metro expansion.
For passengers, the immediate operational significance lies in the focus on Phase-I safety and maintenance and the proposed introduction of multiple-duration passes. The order, as reported, does not provide details on pricing, eligibility, route coverage, integration with existing smart cards or the timeline for implementation.
Reddy will also take up any other responsibilities assigned by the Telangana government from time to time. The government order does not set out a separate deadline for the common ticketing proposal or identify a specific date for the next implementation milestone.
