Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju has directed officials to introduce immediately a joint pass for Metro Rail and Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus travel in Hyderabad, with monthly and daily options for commuters. The directive followed a coordination meeting at Begumpet Metro Rail Bhavan attended by officials from Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), the electricity department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. He reviewed operational readiness and implementation plans.

Mr Jaju reviewed the city’s elevated corridors and instructed that planning account for future requirements. While reviewing the Old City Metro corridor he sought details on road widening works and the tender process for appointing a general consultant. He directed officials to expedite road expansion and other works along the seven point five-km corridor and to commence project activities at the earliest.

Officials from HMRL and TGSRTC indicated technical readiness to introduce the joint pass and confirmed that arrangements for implementation had been finalised. The chief secretary asked them to finalise the joint fare structure promptly and to complete roll out preparations without delay. The coordination meeting also covered interdepartmental support needs, permitting and utility adjustments that are necessary to ensure seamless integration of ticketing and passenger movement.

Later, Mr Jaju travelled by Metro from Begumpet to Paradise accompanied by Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited managing director Sarfaraz Ahmad and additional managing director B Ajith Reddy and inspected commercial complexes and parking areas at Metro stations. He suggested measures for further development of those facilities and reviewed elevated corridors being constructed by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority along NH-44. Officials were directed to report progress on the tasks within a specified timeframe.