Indian PM to launch metro rail in Hyderabad

NEW DELHI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will Tuesday inaugurate first phase of the 30 km-long metro network in southern city of Hyderabad, India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said.

According to officials, during its inaugural run, Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will travel by the metro from Miyapur to Kukatpally.

Officials said the stretch will be thrown open for commercial operations from Wednesday.

"The inauguration will be made this afternoon with Modi unveiling a pylon at Miyapur metro railway station on the outskirts of Hyderabad," an official said.

The Hyderabad metro from Miyapur to Nagole - a stretch of 30 km - will have 24 metro stations.

"The Hyderabad metro rail project will cover a distance of 72 km across three corridors," the official said. "Its second and final phase is expected to be completed by the end of next year."

According to officials, the service would run from 6:00 a.m. (local time) to 10:00 p.m. initially and the timings would subsequently be rescheduled depending on the traffic and demand.

The service is expected to carry 1.7 million commuters each day and the number is likely to reach 2.3 million next year.

Apart from Hyderabad, five other Indian cities including Delhi, and Mumbai have metro rail service. Enditem