"Hyderabad Metro Rail Airport Expansion Paused as CM Announces New Master Plan for the City"

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy led a detailed review recently, focusing on the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, its expansion plans, and the Airport Metro project. Expressing concerns about the existing alignment of the Airport Metro along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) through the G.O. 111 area, which has limited development scope, the CM emphasized the need to prioritize central and eastern parts, including the old city, for the alignment.

CM Reddy stressed the importance of balanced development in all directions, envisioning Hyderabad as a global city with the potential to accommodate a population of two to three crore. He directed officials to reevaluate the present airport alignment plan and its tender, suggesting alternative alignments from MGBS-Falaknuma and LB Nagar to serve a larger portion of the population. Reddy emphasized the role of Metro Rail in providing fast and affordable connectivity to satellite townships around the ORR.

The CM instructed officials to explore cost-effective alternatives, including alignments via Mailardevpally, Jalpally, and P7 Road or Barkas-Pahadishareef and Srisailam Road. He urged them to consider a straight line alignment, even if it involves crossing open areas of the airport premises, as the land belongs to the government.

Reddy also proposed planning an environment-friendly mega township in the lands acquired for Pharma City near Kandukur, away from Hyderabad. He directed the MD of HMRL to plan Metro Rail connectivity to this new city from the airport area via Tukkuguda on Srisailam Road.

Expressing dissatisfaction with concessions granted to Metro Rail Concessionaire L&TMRHL despite non-completion of the 5.5km stretch in the Old City, CM Reddy ordered an investigation into the matter. He emphasized a balanced approach between welfare schemes and city development, urging officials to formulate a comprehensive master plan for the city. This plan should include beautification of the Musi River, east-west road-cum-Metro Rail connectivity from Nagole to Gandipet, and considerations for Hyderabad's potential as a logistics and medical hub.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister for Revenue, I&PR Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, Special Chief Secretary MA&UD Arvind Kumar, MD, HMRL, NVS Reddy, CMO Secretary V. Seshadri, and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.

ET