The metro expansion projects aim to double the present daily metro ridership of 5 lakh in Hyderabad and concurrently alleviate traffic congestion.
Published Aug 10, 2023 | 8:05 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 10, 2023 | 8:05 PM
KTR outlined strategies to augment metro ridership by enhancing the number of coaches, improving feeder services, and developing better footpaths. (iStock)
Telangana Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao chaired a review meeting focusing on the progress of the metro expansion projects of the Airport, Old City and other areas on Thursday, 10 August.
The BRS leader outlined strategies to augment metro ridership by enhancing the number of coaches, improving feeder services, and developing better footpaths.
KTR asserted that the emphasis of the project will be to leverage efficient public transportation to alleviate congestion and pollution in Hyderabad and thereby enhancing the city’s competitiveness to attract investments and talent.
Meanwhile, for the metro-rail connectivity project, the Cabinet approved a layout of a whopping ₹60,000 crore over the next three-four years on in its meeting on 31 July.
Apart from new lines, there is also a proposal to construct a metro rail along the Ring Road, which is about 159 km in length.
This does not include the 101 km of additional metro rail connectivity which is being proposed.
The meeting was held at the Metro Rail Bhavan and was attended by Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari and senior officers.
KTR said the approach aims to double the current daily metro ridership of 5 lakh passengers in Hyderabad and concurrently alleviate traffic congestion.
A detailed presentation by Metro Rail MD NVS Reddy prompted the minister to instruct concerned departments to promptly allocate government properties to Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HMRL) for construction initiation.
KTR chairing the meeting on Hyderabad metro expansion projects. (Supplied)
The GMR Airport has also been also directed to allocate 48 acres of land for a metro rail depot.
KTR also directed officials to pursue the approval of the ₹9,100-crore BHEL-Lakdikapul & Nagole-LB Nagar (36 kilometres) project as a joint venture between the Telangana and Union governments.
The HMRL MD was also directed to expedite surveys for new metro corridors approved recently.
The objective is to prepare Preliminary Project Reports/ Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for submission to the Union government in the following months.
Special Chief Secretaries of Finance and MA&UD were tasked with exploring diverse funding options for these projects.
To address parking challenges, district collectors of Hyderabad, Medchal, and Sangareddy districts have been instructed to identify government land parcels near existing and proposed metro stations for multi-level car parking complexes, aligning with the Chief Minister’s vision.
In a parallel meeting, KTR met with Chanchalguda MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, during which he urged the Metro Rail MD to expedite land acquisition for the old city metro corridor and initiate construction.
KTR also indicated plans to extend the metro line from Falaknuma to the airport.
On 16 July, the HMRL said it had initiated the preliminary steps for commencing metro rail operations in the Old City area.
As part of the first phase of the metro rail project, the remaining 5.5-km stretch from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Falaknuma in the Old City would undergo development.
The 5.5-kilometre stretch currently passes through Darulshifa junction, Purani Haveli, Ettebar Chowk, Alijakotla, Mir Momin Daira, Haribowli, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj, and Aliabad.
This section will feature five stations: Salarjung Museum, Charminar, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj, and Falaknuma.
Within this stretch, there are a total of 103 religious and other sensitive structures, including 21 mosques, 12 temples, 12 ashoorkhanas, 33 dargahs, seven graveyards, and six chillas.
Currently, the metro rail network covers a distance of 69 km, with three corridors: Miyapur to LB Nagar, Jubilee Bus Stand to MGBS, and Nagole to Raidurgam.
The first metro line became operational from Miyapur in 2017. However, the Old City area has not yet witnessed the presence of the metro.
