Hyderabad Metro Rail’s first phase, which took eight years to complete, runs through three transport corridors in the twin cities. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Phase One marks eight years of redefining urban transport in the twin cities of tomorrow. But the three-corridor network, which once promised seamless connectivity, is now grappling with overcrowded trains, neglected infrastructure and no immediate relief in sight.
With Phase 2 still stuck in approval and a new fleet nowhere in sight, the city’s lifeline is straining under the weight of its own success – leaving commuters wondering how much longer they can make it. It is obvious that it will take at least five years or longer to put the other metro lines into operation. This depends on the Center approving the proposed Phase 2A stretch — five corridors of 76.4 km at an estimated cost of ₹ 24,269 crore — early next year, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Khattar assured recently.
“First, the government has to complete the acquisition process from L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), which may take six months to a year. The process has not even started yet. After the Center and the state sign a joint venture agreement for the second phase on a 50:50 partnership basis, funding will be sought from multilateral agencies, followed by tenders for works,” senior sources said, requesting anonymity.
This delay will directly impact existing services on Red Line (LB Nagar–Miyapur, 29 km), Blue Line (Nagole–Raidurg, 29 km) and Green Line (JBS–MGBS, 11 km) as the expected addition of new trainsets is not happening. L&TMRH seems to have shelved plans to purchase 10 three-car train sets after deciding to hand over the project to the Telangana government for ₹15,000 crore.
“The new trainsets are likely to come only after the second phase work starts or is completed next year when the government can sign the rolling stock contract. It may take up to 15-18 months to commission these trains,” senior officials said.
Although the L&TMRH has installed barriers at Ameerpet Interchange to ease crowding at the bus barriers, traffic congestion remains a major problem during peak hours – 9 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8.30 pm.
HMR currently carries an average of 4.75 lakh passengers per day on 1,075 journeys using 57 three-car trainsets, with a frequency of 2.5-5 minutes in peak and 7-10 minutes in off-peak, maintaining a punctuality of 99.86%. Even at two-minute intervals on the Blue Line, trains are overcrowded, forcing many commuters back to road transport.
“Passengers are already barred from entering platforms or stations during peak hours at some stations like Raidurg, Hi-Tec City and Ameerpet,” admitted a senior official. With more trains deployed in the Blue and Red Corridors due to high demand, the Green Line continues to be weak at around 25,000 per day. Its frequency varies from 8 to 20 minutes, although it passes through densely populated areas.
If last-mile connectivity remains a problem area, the infrastructure beneath metro stations – street furniture, pavements and other amenities – is showing signs of neglect. Many areas have turned into garbage dumps, open latrines and shelters for beggars, alcoholics and drug addicts, with broken tiles and poor lighting making the problem worse. The fact that neither HMR nor L&TMRH have announced any plans to celebrate the anniversary shows the sad state of affairs.
Published – 27 Nov 2025 20:41 IST
