Hyderabad Metro Phase-II Gets Revised Airport Metro Alignment

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has approved a revised Airport Metro alignment for Hyderabad Metro Phase-II. The new plan involves connecting MGBS to the airport via the Old City and LB Nagar, bridging the gap between Nagole and LB Nagar Metro stations.

Hyderabad, January 2: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) officials to expedite traffic studies and detailed project reports (DPRs) for a revised Airport Metro alignment via the Old City and from LB Nagar.

Revised Airport Metro Alignment

The earlier Airport Metro plan proposed by the previous BRS government from Raidurg to Shamshabad Airport, spanning 31 kilometers at a cost of Rs 6,250 crore, has been put on hold. Instead, the new Airport Metro connectivity will be planned from MGBS via the Old City and from LB Nagar, bridging the remaining five kilometers between Nagole and LB Nagar Metro stations.

Catering to Major Parts of the City

Chief Minister Reddy emphasized that the Phase-II expansion proposals should cater to major parts of the city and serve the maximum number of commuters. He instructed HMRL Managing Director N V S Reddy to refine the proposals in coordination with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Commissioner.

Exploring Cost-Effective Options

To reduce construction costs, the Chief Minister suggested examining the feasibility of laying a part of the Metro in the Laxmiguda-Jalpally-Mamidipally stretch at grade road level, utilizing the existing 40-feet wide central median without obstructions.

Transit-Oriented Development

HMDA Commissioner M Dana Kishore and CMO Principal Secretary V Seshadri were tasked with identifying government land along the new alignment for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This initiative aims to contribute to the partial funding of the Airport Metro project and encourage the development of the Old City and its surroundings.

Additional Proposals

The Chief Minister also proposed widening the road from Darulshifa Junction to Falaknuma Junction in the Old City Metro Rail stretch to 100 feet, subject to consultations with public representatives. He further directed HMRL to prepare extensions of existing Metro corridors to nearby destinations to facilitate the city's growth in all directions.

Integrated Planning and Collaboration

Reddy instructed HMRL MD and HMDA Commissioner to swiftly prepare these plans in an integrated manner and draft a letter from him to Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in the coming days. The plans include incorporating Metro Rail in the Musi riverfront East-West corridor from Taramatipet to Narsingi via Nagole and MGBS, covering a distance of 40 kilometers.

Comprehensive Master Plan

The Chief Minister ordered the officials to develop a comprehensive master plan to address the rapidly growing needs of Hyderabad city. This plan will include dispersed growth hubs along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and Metro Rail connectivity from the Airport area to Kandukur on the Srisailam highway, where a mega township can be established on lands acquired for Pharma City.

Future Expansion Plans

Reddy also envisioned Metro Phase-III plans to cover expansion from JBS Metro station to Shameerpet and from Paradise Metro station to Kandlakoya/Medchal. These plans aim to enhance connectivity and cater to the expanding city.

Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari and other officials were present during the meeting.