MMTS trains to chug with additional 3 coaches

Hyderabad: With ridership increasing with each passing day and the Secunderabad-Bolarum stretch ready for commissioning, the South Central Railway (SCR) is planning to increase the number of coaches to the Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport system (MMTS) trains.  Until last year, the MMTS trains were catering to 1.5 lakh passengers have steadily increased and presently, it has risen to 1.8 lakh passengers per day. 

Presently, there are 12 MMTS trains, each rake comprises nine coaches. M Uma Shankar Kumar, chief public relations officer, SCR said, “With the imminent commissioning of the Secunderabad-Bolarum stretch, there is a requirement to add coaches. The plan is to increase from 9 to 12 coaches and expand the shed at Moula Ali.”Presently, MMTS trains do 121 trips a day. 

Explaining the nitty-gritty of maintenance, a senior official said, “MMTS coaches can be added in multiples of three as there is one power car and two trailing cars. The MMTS can be increased in multiples of 3, 6 and 9 coaches.” He further added, “When there is a problem even with one coach, the whole set has to be changed.” The SCR has 30 spare coaches that are kept at the Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) shed at Moula Ali.  

The SCR plans to bring coaches from the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur and upgrade the EMU shed. About Rs 6 crore has been allotted for the purpose. 

Senior officials say that the Bolarum-Secunderabad stretch is ready to be commissioned and would ease traffic problems in the city. People would be able to directly travel to Hitech City. 

Senior officials say that the MMTS project is worth Rs 800 crore and the state government on its part has to shell out Rs 300 crore which is vital for the commissioning of the Bolarum-Secunderabad stretch.