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Hyderabad Metro

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The Hyderabad Metro is a rapid transit system serving Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Hyderabad Metro
Hyderabad Metro

It functions as a high-capacity transport network to move large numbers of people. The system uses a secant model, where three lines intersect to cover the city. This network helps reduce road traffic in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It is managed through a public–private partnership, or PPP. In this model, the state government holds a minority equity stake. A special company called L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited (L&TMRHL) was created to develop the project.

Hyderabad Metro Rail Bhavan
Hyderabad Metro Rail Bhavan

The metro operates using elevated corridors rather than underground tunnels. Builders chose this because the soil in Hyderabad contains hard rocks and boulders. The tracks are supported by 2,599 pillars built above the ground. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on 26 April 2012. After the pillars were erected, rail laying started in November 2013. The first train arrived from Korea in May 2014. Following this, trial runs were conducted to ensure everything worked correctly. Safety approvals were then granted in stages by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety.

Phase 1 of the system consists of three distinct, fully elevated lines. The Red Line runs from Miyapur to LB Nagar and has 27 stations. The Blue Line runs from Nagole to Raidurg and has 24 stations. The Green Line connects JBS to MGBS and contains 10 stations. Together, these lines span a total length of 67.21 kilometers.

Hyderabad Metro Blue Line 14042019
Hyderabad Metro Blue Line 14042019

While the initial plan included an extension to the Old City, that section was moved to Phase 2. The current Phase 1 network was completed when the Green Line launched in 2020.

Hitecmetro
Hitecmetro

The history of the project began with the NDA government in 2003. At that time, the existing Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) lacked enough capacity. The Union Ministry of Urban Development directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to survey proposed lines. In 2007, N. V. S. Reddy was appointed as the managing director. A bidding process took place in 2008, but the first winner, Maytas, failed to reach financial closure. A second bidding process in July 2010 saw Larsen & Toubro (L&T) emerge as the lowest bidder. A consortium of 10 banks, led by the State Bank of India, provided the necessary debt. This was the largest fund tie-up in India for a non-power PPP project at that time.

Significant milestones mark the growth and usage of the metro. On 28 November 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a stretch from Miyapur to Nagole.

Narendra Modi taking a ride in Hyderabad Metro along with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Chief Minister of Telangana
Narendra Modi taking a ride in Hyderabad Metro along with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Chief Minister of Telangana

This was the longest rapid transit line opened all at once in India. By February 2020, daily ridership reached approximately 490,000 people. On 3 July 2023, the system achieved a peak ridership of 0.51 million people in one day. To support passengers, a ladies-only coach was introduced on all trains on 7 May 2018.

The project has faced complex financial and ownership changes. L&T requested government funds to address cost overruns and delays. By February 2020, cumulative losses exceeded ₹5,000 crore. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an additional loss of about ₹382 crore due to shutdowns. Because of these financial strains, the state government and L&T entered negotiations regarding ownership. The government proposed acquiring L&T’s stake for ₹15,000 crore. This amount includes the transfer of ₹13,000 crore in outstanding loans and a ₹2,000 crore payout. This ownership transfer is expected to be finalized by the end of March 2026.

Future plans involve expanding the network through Phase 2. This expansion aims to cover about 80 km across four new corridors. One major goal is the creation of an Airport Express Line to connect to the airport. There are also plans to extend the Red Line to Patancheruvu and Hayathnagar. Additionally, a new route is being planned for the Old City. This route would run alongside the Musi river and use Lidar and GPS for surveys.

Secunderabadclocktowermetro
Secunderabadclocktowermetro

These expansions seek to connect the metro to even more parts of the growing city.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Hyderabad Metro.jpg
Hyderabad Metro.jpg
File:Narendra Modi taking a ride in Hyderabad Metro along with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Chief Minister of Telangana.jpg
Narendra Modi taking a ride in Hyderabad...
File:Hitecmetro.png
Hitecmetro.png
File:Hyderabad Metro Blue Line 14042019.jpg
Hyderabad Metro Blue Line 14042019.jpg
File:Secunderabadclocktowermetro.jpg
Secunderabadclocktowermetro.jpg
File:Hyderabad Metro Rail Bhavan.jpg
Hyderabad Metro Rail Bhavan.jpg
File:Hyderabad metro ticket makemytrip.jpg
Hyderabad metro ticket makemytrip.jpg
File:Hyderabadmetrosmartcardnebula.jpg
Hyderabadmetrosmartcardnebula.jpg
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