Setwin to provide last mile Metro link

​Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and Setwin have joined hands to provide last mile connectivity to Metro rail passengers. Speaking to The Hans India, Setwin chairman Mir Inayat Ali Baqri said that orders for 1,000 e-autos have already been placed and for 100 e-buses would shortly be completed.

Metro passengers would be able to use the facility in the next three months, said Mir Inayat. Last mile connectivity has been an issue and with the introduction of eco-friendly transport the problem of reaching their final destination would be solved, said a senior official.

Passengers would be able to purchase a ticket that would include the auto or bus fare and just hop on to the vehicle. The price for the first 3 km would be Rs 10 for both the services.

The mini e-buses come in two variants; 22 and 18 seaters and another 10 passengers could stand and commute. While the buses would run for 60 km with one charge, an auto would run for 110 km.

MAUD principal secretary Arvind Kumar a few days ago tweeted: “Mini e-buses and e-autos as last mile connectivity. We are in final stages; there will be state-of-the-art green energy vehicles.”

There has been a buzz around and Metro passengers have been an excited lot after reading the tweet. Arvind, a regular traveller from Paradise to Ameerpet, said, “If the last mile connectivity comes through a lot many would opt for the Metro rail.

People are fed up with the traffic and pollution. I cannot wait.” Asked about charging the e-vehicles, Inayat Bakri said that there would be charging points at all the stations and fully charged batteries would be changed within two minutes at Metro stations.

The order for e-autos has been given to Hyderabad Goldstone. The applicants would be provided with loans from SC, ST, BC and other finance corporations. Preference would be given to auto unions and for e-buses to educated unemployed youth informed, said a senior Metro rail official. The total cost of the project is about Rs 60 crore.