Longer routes, access woes at MGBS Metro station

Hyderabad: Metro stations are designed in a way that they can be easily accessible by all, but this doesn't hold true for the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MBGS) Metro station in the Old City, which can be accessed only from inside the bus station. While metro authorities are inviting private commercial and residential developers to build skywalks for other metro stations, the only station which connects the Old City to Secunderabad, Miyapur and LB Nagar cannot be accessed from National Highway 65. The Musi River creates a natural barrier, requiring commuters to travel an additional kilometre to cross the river via the bus stand's bridge before reaching the metro station. "Its incredibly frustrating to see the station right in front of you but having to take such a long detour to enter the station via the bridge," said Ramesh Goud, a daily commuter who works in Secunderabad. "What should be a two-minute walk turns into a 15-minute ordeal." The station, which has five entry and exit points south of the Musi River, can only be accessed through the bus station premises. This has particularly affected residents and office-goers from areas along the Mumbai highway. Another commuter, Saralamma, who was trying to reach the metro station, said, "I am not from the city and got down from the bus before it entered the bus stand. I am not familiar with the area and got confused about how I'll enter the station." When contacted, metro officials maintained that the current arrangement was part of the original design. "The MGBS metro station was specifically designed to serve only the bus stand passengers. Access from NH65 was never part of the initial plan," said metro officials. The authorities suggested alternative options for passengers coming from the highway area. "Commuters can use either Sultan Bazar or Osmania Medical College stations, which are under a kilometre away on either side," added officials.