Hyderabad: December 22 Posted on 7:51 PM IST
The Telangana government has accelerated efforts to expand the Hyderabad Metro beyond the city core and into key suburban regions. Officials have stepped up work on central approvals, design planning, and funding allocation to move the project forward.
According to sources, Congress government aims to extend Metro services to suburban areas where thousands of people travel daily to the city for jobs and livelihoods. At present, most commuters from these areas depend on buses. Limited bus availability, multiple transfers, and traffic congestion increase travel time and daily stress for passengers.
As part of the third phase of expansion, the government has placed strong focus on extending Metro connectivity to the outskirts under the Telangana Rising 2047 vision. The plan targets Metro expansion across 178.3 kilometres to suburban zones.
Proposed extensions include:
Medchal
Patancheru
Ghatkesar
Hayathnagar
Shamirpet
The government has set a target to complete these extensions by 2047. Officials said full suburban connectivity will reduce travel time to IT corridors and the airport to minutes instead of hours.
At present, Hyderabad has 69.2 kilometres of operational Metro lines. If around 15 kilometres of Metro track is added every year starting next year, the total network could reach 400 kilometres by 2047. This requires an additional 330.8 kilometres of expansion.
Metro expansion has faced delays due to pending central approvals and funding constraints. Officials said faster clearances and financial support will help launch construction at a quicker pace.
The state government is also moving ahead with the takeover of the Metro from the L&T operator. The takeover process is underway and is expected to conclude early next year. Chief Secretry Telangana Government Ramakrishna already issued ordered to quickly complete the transfer process. Metro expansion work is likely to begin after the transfer is completed.
Once the full expansion is in place, commuters from suburban areas will reach the city in a short time. At present, bus travel from the outskirts often takes up to two hours. Officials said the expanded Metro network will ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution across Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, Metro Rail works in the Old City are in full swing. The land acquisition process is nearing completion, and the erection of pillars for the corridors will begin shortly.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
