Telangana lockdown: Hyderabad Metro Rail announces revised train timings

Hyderabad: In view of the 10-day lockdown imposed by the Telangana state government, the Hyderabad Metro Rail authorities have revised the train timings from 12 May.

During the lockdown period, Hyderabad Metro Rail will start its first train from the respective stations at 7 a.m. The last train will start at 8:45 a.m and end at the respective terminating stations by 9:45 a.m.

K.V.B Reddy, the MD and CEO of L&TMRHL, said, "For everyone's safety, passengers are also advised to strictly follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines, including social distancing, wearing masks, regular hand sanitization, and thermal screening, among others. Passengers are requested to cooperate with security personnel and staff in their efforts towards keeping their journey safe."

The Telangana Cabinet on 11 May decided to impose a partial lockdown for 10 days from 12 May. All activities will be allowed between 6 a.m and 10 a.m and the lockdown will be in force for the remaining 20 hours. The Cabinet will reconvene on 20 May to review whether to continue the lockdown.

Lockdown exemptions

Lockdown does not apply to agricultural activities including agricultural production, allied sectors, agricultural machinery work, management of rice mills, related transport, sending of grain to FCI, fertilizer, seed shops, and seed manufacturing factories.

The Cabinet has decided to continue the procurement of grain as usual keeping in view the interests of the farmers of the state.

Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturing companies, medical distributors, medical shops, all types of medical services, government and private clinics, their employees and staff and vehicles are allowed with a special pass.

Drinking water supply and sanitation management in rural and urban areas will continue as usual. Also, power generation and distribution systems and their ancillary activities can operate as usual.

Transportation on national highways will continue as usual while petrol and diesel pumps on national highways can operate. It was also decided to set up check-posts at the state borders.

Exemption also granted for cold storage and warehousing activities and print and electronic media

Meanwhile, government offices will operate with 33 per cent of their staff. Banks and ATMs will continue to operate.

A maximum of 40 people are allowed for weddings with all prior approvals and a maximum of 20 people are allowed at funerals.

Metro and RTC public transport will be available from 6 a.m to 10 a.m. Ration shops can stay open during the period. Cooking gas filling stations will continue as usual.

The Cabinet has decided to shut down cinema halls, clubs, gyms, swimming pools, amusement parks, and sports stadiums. It directed the DGP to take steps to ensure that the above exemptions are fully complied with