Telangana: Revanth Reddy Slams Brakes On Hyderabad Airport Metro, Orders Probe Into Preferential Treatment Given To L&T

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy issued a directive on Wednesday (13 December) to halt the progress of the ongoing Hyderabad Airport Metro plan and related initiatives.

Reddy instructed officials to explore alternative, cost-effective routes and raised concerns about the benefits granted to L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited (LTMRHL) despite the incomplete project in the old city of Hyderabad.

He has instructed senior officers to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.

Furthermore, the chief minister directed officials to develop a new township on the extensive land acquired for Hyderabad Pharma City, a project initiated by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi government.

The earlier plan involved a 31-km Airport Express Metro corridor connecting Raidurg Metro station in Madhapur and RGI Airport in Shamshabad.

During a detailed review of the metro rail project and expansion plans, Revanth Reddy questioned the alignment along the outer ring road (ORR) and suggested that priority should have been given to routes through the Old City.

He emphasised the need for cost-effective alternatives, proposing routes via Mailardevpally, Jalpally, P7 Road, or Barkas-Pahadi Shareef and Srisailam Road.

Expressing dissatisfaction over benefits provided to L&T MRHL despite incomplete stretches, Reddy urged officials to examine concession agreements thoroughly.

He envisioned the development of satellite townships around ORR and emphasised the role of metro rail in providing affordable connectivity.

Additionally, he advised planning an environmentally friendly mega township in Kandukur, connected by metro rail from the airport via Tukkuguda on Srisailam Road.

Reddy called for the preparation of a new city master plan, including Musi riverfront beautification, an east-west road, and a metro rail corridor from Nagole to Gandipet, connecting MGBS intercity bus terminal.

He also encouraged officials to explore Hyderabad's potential as a logistics and medical hub and proposed planning for a dry port, considering Telangana's landlocked status.