On January 19, 2025, Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HAML) Managing Director, Mr. NVS Reddy, embarked on an inspection of the Medchal and Shamirpet Metro Rail corridors, accompanied by senior engineers and technical consultants. The objective of this inspection was to address technical challenges in the alignment of the metro corridors, particularly in relation to the steep curvature of the road and the constraints posed by nearby infrastructure such as the Begumpet Airport runway.
One of the major issues to be resolved was the alignment of the elevated Metro Rail corridor from Paradise to Bowenpally, which lies along the boundary of the airport. Due to the sharp curvature of the road, the Airport authorities insisted on taking the elevated corridor below the airport’s runway (Tadbund/Bowenpally side) for approximately 600 meters through a tunnel. However, this posed significant engineering complications. Transitioning from an elevated structure into a tunnel and back to the elevated level would present complex construction challenges that needed a creative solution.
In response, CM Mr. A. Revanth Reddy suggested an innovative approach. He proposed the idea of initially combining the Paradise-Medchal and JBS-Shamirpet Metro corridors, later splitting them into two separate corridors at Medchal and Shamirpet. This suggestion aimed to avoid the need for tunneling beneath the airport and minimize engineering complications while also providing an opportunity to create a world-class, integrated Metro rail hub at JBS.
Taking this direction into account, Mr. NVS Reddy and his team explored various roads in the Cantonment area to find the best possible alignment for the Metro rail. They examined several key roads, including JBS-Secunderabad Club Road, Staff Road (Picket KV School Road), Mudfort Road, Tivoli Junction Road, and others, looking for the most efficient path that would minimize disruptions and optimize service to key areas.
Key Directives from the Inspection:
During the inspection, Mr. NVS Reddy issued several important directives to his team:
- Evaluate Alternative Roads: The pros and cons of all alternative roads should be thoroughly assessed to avoid steep curves, tunneling under the airport, and excessive acquisition of private properties.
- Maximize Residential Coverage: The alignment should serve as many residential colonies as possible to ensure that the Metro benefits a wide range of commuters.
- Station Locations and Parking: Tentative station locations should be identified, with a focus on available vacant lands belonging to the State Government or Defence authorities to accommodate better parking and passenger facilities.
Strategic Insights and Recommendations:
Through the inspection, it was concluded that combining both the Medchal and Shamirpet corridors at the JBS Metro station was a highly advantageous move. This would help eliminate the need for the complex tunnel beneath the airport, simplify the engineering process, and allow the two corridors to merge at the NH Junction, near Bowenpally, adjacent to the Sarojini Pulla Reddy bungalow. From there, metro pillars and viaducts could be constructed on the widened service road median, without interfering with the ongoing NH flyover construction.
This strategy also offered the added benefit of providing a direct link between the Medchal and Airport corridors, ultimately creating a seamless 60 km Metro route connecting Medchal, JBS, MGBS, Chandrayangutta, and the Airport.
For the JBS-Shamirpet Metro alignment, it was found feasible to extend the metro directly from the existing first pillar near Secunderabad Club as a double-elevated structure over the proposed HMDA elevated corridor on Karimnagar Highway, which is currently being widened by HMDA.
A Mega Metro Hub at JBS:
In line with the CM’s vision, Mr. NVS Reddy also indicated that plans would be developed to transform JBS into a mega Metro hub, catering not only to commuters from Secunderabad and the northern parts of the city but also those traveling from northern Telangana districts. This would be achieved by pooling around 30 acres of land from the State Government and Defence authorities near JBS, creating a hub that would serve as a critical interchange point for passengers.
The Inspection Team:
Along with Mr. NVS Reddy, the inspection was attended by several senior officials, including Chief Project Manager Mr. B. Anand Mohan, General Managers Mr. B. N. Rajeshwar, Mr. M. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, and Mr. A. Balakrishna, and Dy. CE (Railways) Mr. J. N. Gupta, among other senior officers.
Looking Ahead:
The successful resolution of these technical issues and the careful planning of the metro’s route will not only address current infrastructure challenges but also pave the way for a more efficient, integrated, and accessible Metro system.
By taking into consideration the needs of local residents and aligning the Metro corridors in a way that minimizes disruptions, the Medchal and Shamirpet corridors are set to become vital components of Hyderabad’s public transport network, contributing to the city’s growth and connectivity in the years to come.
