Hyderabad: Centre Plans Rs 26,000 Crore Outer Ring Rail-Bypass Along 350 Km-Regional Ring Road

During a press conference held in New Delhi on Wednesday (28 June), Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy announced that the Centre has approved the Outer Ring Rail bypass project for Telangana.

The project is planned on the periphery of the proposed 350-kilometre-long Regional Ring Road (RRR) that will circle Hyderabad.

For the first time in the country, the outer ring rail and regional ring road projects are being undertaken. The proposed railway line, running parallel to the RRR, would have a major impact on transportation and commerce within the state.

The first-of-its-kind initiative will revolutionise travel in Hyderabad's outskirts and decongest the city's major railway stations.

According to Reddy, the Railway Ministry has approved Rs 13.95 crore for a final location survey (FLS) for the project, which is expected to cost over Rs 26,000 crore.

The 563.5 km railway line will include a 536 km Outer Ring Rail, that will run parallel to the RRR with bypass-cum rail-over-rail at Akkanapet, Yadadri, Chityal, Burgula, Vikarabad, and Gate Vanampalli, according to a communication sent from the Railway Board to the general manager of South Central Railway.

Reddy stated that by putting hubs in sites connecting the railway lines of Vijayawada, Guntur, Warangal, Nizamabad, Medak, Mumbai, and Vikarabad, people will be able to travel to their respective destinations without entering the city.

The integrated network will not only connect previously unconnected regions but also facilitate efficient travel options for commuters entering Hyderabad and those who bypass the city altogether, as junctions will be established along the proposed rail route to facilitate seamless transfers between road and rail modes of transportation.

“This project will benefit the business and transport sector as well, besides the residents of Hyderabad’s surrounding districts. It will significantly benefit the people by reducing congestion at major terminals such as Secunderabad, Nampally, Kacheguda, and Lingampally and at the same time connect the socio-economically backward regions of the state,” said Reddy, reports Indian Express.

Reddy emphasised that the rail route has already acquired sufficient land, which is readily available, and stated that land acquisition will not be an obstacle.

However, he urged the state government to promptly hand over the land acquired for the RRR to the railways and ensure appropriate compensation for affected landowners.