It’s been six months since MMTS, which is the suburban rail system in the city, stopped its services due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown. Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and TSRTC resumed operations recently but MMTS remains the only public transportation that is still unavailable for commuters in the city. SCR conducted a trial run on the Secunderabad-Malkajgiri and Medchal-Moula-Ali routes as part of the phase-II project recently.

SCR, which is waiting for an official order from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways, is making sure they are ready to resume operations as soon they get a go-ahead by ensuring all the MMTS rakes are fit and well-maintained. “By regularly checking the rakes and conducting other maintenance activities, we are taking all necessary steps to start operations at any moment. The batteries, brakes, wheel alignment and functioning of the engine and other motors are being checked regularly at the Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) car shed at Moula Ali,” said a senior official.

SCR operates 12 rakes on Secunderabad-Lingampally, Hyderabad-Lingampally and Secunderabad-Faluknuma sections. After lockdown restrictions were lifted partially, SCR operated Shramik special trains to transport migrant workers and is currently operating special passenger trains. With 25 local stations, apart from three major divisions of Secunderabad Kacheguda and Hyderabad, the MMTS runs 40 kms and handles 1.60 lakh passengers every day, while generating a revenue of nearly Rs 10 lakh per day.