Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2: Work on Old City Corridor to Begin January 2025
The second phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project is set to commence in January 2025, with Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd. (HAML) preparing to address the long-pending connectivity requirements for the Old City. While the Telangana government awaits approval from the central government for five proposed metro corridors spanning 76.4 km, the state-run special purpose vehicle has announced plans to begin work on the Old City Corridor.
Old City Corridor: Addressing Long-Standing Challenges
The Old City Corridor from the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Falaknuma, was originally planned as part of the metro’s first phase but was delayed due to various challenges. Now, this is being extended till Chandrayangutta. HAML Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy announced that construction will begin in the first week of January 2025, with demolition of properties acquired under the Land Acquisition Act scheduled for the last week of December.
This corridor will feature six metro stations and is a significant component of the 54 stations planned in the second phase. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has emphasized the importance of completing all second-phase work within four years.
Minimal Impact on Properties and Heritage Structures
HAML aims to minimize property acquisitions, focusing primarily on the Old City. Compensation for property owners in this area has been set at ₹65,000 per square yard. To preserve the region’s heritage, none of the 106 religious and historical structures along the proposed route will be affected. “We have devised engineering solutions to avoid any impact on these structures,” according to Mr. NVS Reddy.
Expansion Plans for Connectivity
The second phase of the metro will primarily feature elevated corridors, except for a 1.6 km stretch within the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). All five proposed corridors will extend the existing metro lines:
- Nagole-Shamshabad RGIA (Airport Corridor):
- Length: 36.8 km
- Stations: 24
- Extension of the Blue Line (Raidurg-Nagole)
- Raidurg-Kokapet Neopolis:
- Length: 11.6 km
- Stations: 8
- MGBS-Chandrayangutta (Old City Corridor):
- Length: 7.5 km
- Stations: 6
- Extension of the Green Line (JBS-MGBS)
- Miyapur-Patancheru:
- Length: 13.4 km
- Stations: 6
- Extension of the Red Line (LB Nagar-Miyapur)
- LB Nagar-Hayat Nagar:
- Length: 7.1 km
- Stations: 6
- Extension of the Red Line
These expansions will enable seamless connectivity to the airport from all three existing metro lines.
Funding and Project Details
The second phase will be implemented under a 50:50 joint venture between the Telangana and central governments, with an estimated cost of ₹24,269 crore. Contributions include:
- Telangana Government: ₹7,313 crore (30%)
- Central Government: ₹4,230 crore (18%)
- Loans from international institutions like JICA, ADB, and NDB: ₹11,693 crore (48%)
Field surveys and cost assessments are underway for an additional 40 km corridor under Part B of Phase 2, connecting RGIA to Fourth City (Skill University).
First Phase Achievements and the Need for Expansion
The first phase of the Hyderabad Metro, covering 69 km and built at a cost of ₹22,148 crore, is the world’s largest metro rail project under a PPP model. It currently serves approximately five lakh passengers daily, with a record ridership of 5.63 lakh on August 14, 2024.
However, with no network expansion over the past decade, Hyderabad has slipped in metro rankings and risks falling further behind other cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, which are actively expanding their networks. Urgent measures are required to ensure Hyderabad remains competitive in metro connectivity.
