Hyderabad's New Metro Line to Connect RGIA with 'Fourth City' Through Six Extended Corridors

The city is set to bolster its transport infrastructure with a new 40-kilometer Metro Rail line that will connect Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to the upcoming 'Fourth City' in Mucherla. Metro officials unveiled the detailed Phase 2 plan for the project on Sunday, highlighting a revised alignment that will take the line through Aramghar and the future high court campus on NH-44.

Originally, the Metro line was planned to follow the airport approach road from Mailardevpally to Lakshmiguda, Jalapalli, and Mamidipally. NVS Reddy, managing director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML), explained in a TOI report, "We changed the alignment due to significant activity on the Bengaluru highway, with around 5,000 flats being constructed in this area." He anticipates substantial usage, stating, "Over nine lakh passengers are expected to utilise the metro lines, with the airport line projected to see the highest traffic, along with key areas like Patancheru and Kokapet Neopolis."

Phase 2 of this ambitious initiative will introduce six new corridors to Hyderabad's existing Metro network, covering a total distance of 116.2 kilometres with 54 stations. The overall project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 32,237 crore, with the Metro line connecting the 'Fourth City' alone projected to cost around Rs 8,000 crore.

The six new corridors will encompass the following routes:

- A 36.6-km airport corridor from Nagole to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)

- An 11.6-km line from Raidurg to Kokapet Neopolis

- A 7.5-km line from MGBS to Chandrayangutta in the Old City

- A 13.4-km line from Miyapur to Patancheru

- A 7.1-km line from LB Nagar to Hayathnagar

The Old City metro line will require the widening of roads and the acquisition of approximately 1,100 properties, traversing areas such as Darulshifa, Shalibanda, and Falaknuma. Officials also announced plans for the longest 'at-grade' road-level metro rail line in India, an 18-km stretch running from the Raviryal exit on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to the proposed Skill University. Reddy provided further details about the 'Fourth City' metro line, stating, “The line from RGIA will extend to Pedda Golconda, connecting the 'Fourth City' along the ORR via Tukkuguda and Raviryal.”

Of the total 40-km stretch, 2 km will be underground within the airport premises, while 20 km will be elevated. The 'at-grade' line is designed to seamlessly integrate with the new 300-foot greenfield road.

The final detailed project report (DPR) for this extensive metro plan is expected to be submitted to the Telangana government by the end of October.