Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station Metro Access Causes Major Inconvenience
The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) Metro station in Hyderabad, a crucial link between the Old City and key areas like Secunderabad, Miyapur, and LB Nagar, has become a point of frustration for commuters due to limited access. Despite the metro’s intention to be an accessible and eco-friendly mode of transport, the station’s design has left residents and office-goers from areas along the National Highway 65 (NH65) facing considerable inconvenience.
For commuters travelling from the highway, the lack of a direct entry into the metro station has led to delays and added travel time. To access the MGBS Metro station, passengers must first navigate through the bus station, which requires crossing the Musi River via the bus stand’s bridge. This detour forces commuters to travel an additional kilometre to enter the station. What should be a straightforward walk for many turns into an arduous 15-minute journey due to the lack of direct connectivity to the National Highway. This inconvenience has particularly affected daily commuters who work in Secunderabad or other parts of the city. One frustrated commuter remarked that, despite seeing the station from across the street, the need to cross the river and go through the bus stand makes the journey unnecessarily long. For residents and professionals travelling from the highway side, it is not just an inconvenience but a significant waste of time during rush hours when every minute counts.
Moreover, the situation is exacerbated for those unfamiliar with the area. Newcomers, particularly those visiting the city or unfamiliar with the bus stand layout, are often left confused about how to enter the metro station. The lack of clear signage or guidance only adds to the frustration, as commuters are left scrambling to find the right entry points.
Metro authorities, however, maintain that the design of the MGBS Metro station was intentional and that it was planned primarily to serve passengers within the bus station premises. They explain that access from the National Highway 65 was never part of the original design. Instead, commuters from the highway can access nearby metro stations at Sultan Bazar or Osmania Medical College, both of which are located within a kilometre of the MGBS station. This official stance, however, fails to resolve the core issue for those who rely on the MGBS station for their daily commute. Commuters have raised concerns about the practicality of having to use other stations, especially when the MGBS station is right in front of them. For residents of areas along NH65, this lack of direct access to the metro station remains a significant barrier to utilising public transport effectively. The situation also raises questions about the city’s planning and transport infrastructure. In a modern city striving for more sustainable transport solutions, ensuring that metro stations are fully accessible and connected to major roads is crucial. With Hyderabad’s rapid urban growth, transportation planners need to focus on eliminating these bottlenecks to facilitate smoother, quicker travel for all residents.
While metro officials insist that the MGBS station’s design serves its intended purpose, the need for a more inclusive and accessible solution remains pressing. With the rising demand for public transport and the push for sustainable cities, addressing the shortcomings of the MGBS Metro station’s access would be a crucial step towards improving the metro system’s reach and user satisfaction. For now, commuters are left to navigate the inconvenience of an otherwise well-intentioned metro system.
