Media Release – December 13, 2023
Hyderabad Chief Minister Revanth Reddy Reviews Metro Rail Expansion and Urban Development Plans
In a comprehensive review today, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy scrutinized the progress of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, its expansion strategies, and the Airport Metro initiative. The focus was on understanding the rationale behind the alignment of the Airport Metro along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) through G.O.111 area, where development possibilities are restricted, and the ORR already provides robust transport facilities.
Expressing concerns, the Chief Minister emphasized that the priority should have been to route the Airport Metro through the Old city, spanning from MGBS to Falaknuma, and from LB Nagar, serving the central, eastern parts, and the Old city where a significant portion of the city’s population resides.
He underscored the need for balanced development in all directions, envisioning Hyderabad as a global city with limitless potential. With Telangana rapidly urbanizing, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of planning for accommodating a population of around two to three crore, establishing satellite townships around the ORR, with Metro Rail playing a crucial role in ensuring affordable and rapid connectivity.
Instructing senior officers, the Chief Minister directed a halt on the present Airport alignment plan and tender. Instead, he urged the quick preparation of alternative alignments from MGBS to Falaknuma and LB Nagar via Chandrayangutta. Cost-effective alternatives were proposed, including routes via Mailardevpally, Jalpally, P7 Road, or Barkas-Pahadishareef and Srisailam Road.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister advocated for an environmentally friendly mega township near Kandukur, utilizing lands acquired for Pharma City. He recommended Metro Rail connectivity to this new city from the Airport area via Tukkuguda on Srisailam Road.
Expressing dissatisfaction over benefits granted to Metro Rail Concessionaire L&TMRHL, the Chief Minister ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. He instructed a comprehensive examination of the Concession Agreements of L&TMRHL and GMR Airport, along with the supplementary Concession Agreement of Metro Rail, to safeguard government interests.
Balancing welfare schemes and city development, the Chief Minister urged the formulation of a master plan for Hyderabad. This includes beautifying the Musi river, using its banks’ right of way to plan east-west road-cum-Metro Rail connectivity from Nagole to Gandipet. The vision encompasses making Hyderabad a logistics and medical hub between Western and Gulf countries and Southeast Asia. Plans for a dry port were also encouraged due to Telangana’s landlocked status.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Revenue Minister Shri Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Chief Secretary Smt A. Santhi Kumari, Spl.CS MA&UD Arvind Kumar, MD HMRL NVS Reddy, and senior CMO officers V. Seshadri, B. Shivadhar Reddy, and Shahnawaz Qasim participated in the review meeting.
