Image source: Times of India, Hyderabad edition dated 20th January 2025
Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) in Secunderabad is on track to become India’s largest and most interconnected Metro hub, potentially surpassing Delhi’s Kashmere Gate Metro station in terms of interchange connectivity. This bold vision, as outlined by Hyderabad Metro officials, aims to transform JBS into a central point where multiple new Metro corridors converge, extending Metro services to all corners of Greater Hyderabad.
A Major Metro Milestone: The Medchal to RGI Airport Line
One of the most ambitious projects associated with this development is the proposed 60-km uninterrupted Metro line, connecting Medchal to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGI) via JBS, MGBS, and Chandrayangutta. If this line is realized, it will become India’s longest single Metro line, surpassing Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, which currently spans 59.2 km.
The development of this line is a key part of Hyderabad’s broader Metro expansion plans, which aim to enhance connectivity throughout the city and beyond. Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) is spearheading the development of this massive project, with plans for a state-of-the-art interchange station at JBS that will connect new Metro corridors in every direction.
The Mega Metro Hub at JBS
Hyderabad Metro’s vision for JBS goes beyond just an ordinary interchange. The station is being designed to serve as a critical hub for multiple new Metro routes, ensuring commuters can travel seamlessly across the city and the surrounding areas. The proposed corridors will extend to Medchal and Shamirpet in the north, Kokapet in the west, Patancheru in the northwest, Hayathnagar in the southeast, and of course, the airport in the south.
HAML Managing Director, Mr. NVS Reddy, shared details of the project, stating, “We plan to develop a mega Metro hub at JBS by consolidating approximately 30 acres of land from the state and defence authorities. This development will cater to commuters from Secunderabad, northern parts of the city, and passengers from northern Telangana districts.”
Transforming JBS into a Major Metro Junction
The Metro development at JBS isn’t just about expanding the network; it’s about creating a highly efficient transit hub that connects different parts of the city with minimal delays. In a recent inspection, Mr. Reddy, along with senior engineers and technical consultants, examined the alignment of various Metro corridors and agreed on the feasibility of initially combining the Paradise-Medchal and JBS-Shamirpet Metro corridors before splitting them into separate routes.
Several key roads in the Cantonment area, including JBS-Secunderabad Club Road, Staff Road, Mudfort Road, Tivoli Junction Road, and others, were surveyed to determine the optimal Metro alignment. The inspection revealed that combining the two Metro corridors at JBS initially would offer significant advantages.
“The alignment can join at the National Highway junction near Bowenpally, utilizing the existing widened service road median without interfering with the ongoing NH flyover construction,” explained one official. This will ensure a smoother and faster transition between Metro routes without causing disruptions to existing infrastructure.
Double-Elevated Structure for JBS-Shamirpet Metro
For the JBS-Shamirpet Metro alignment, the team proposed extending the Metro from the first pillar near Secunderabad Club as a double-elevated structure over the proposed HMDA elevated corridor on Rajiv Rahadari (Karimnagar Highway). The highway will also be widened as part of the project, ensuring the Metro route seamlessly integrates with the existing road network.
What This Means for Hyderabad’s Metro Future
This mega Metro hub at JBS is set to be a game-changer for Hyderabad’s public transportation system. Not only will it provide critical connectivity for residents of Secunderabad and the northern parts of the city, but it will also create an easy link for passengers traveling from various districts in northern Telangana.
As the Metro network continues to expand, with JBS at its heart, the city is poised to offer one of the most efficient, interconnected, and far-reaching Metro systems in India. With the planned infrastructure, Hyderabad’s Metro is not just growing in size but in its ability to meet the evolving needs of the city’s commuters.
