Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Airport Metro and the pending metro line into the Old City from MGBS (Imlibun) to Falaknuma, eagerly anticipated by the citizens of the twin cities, will have to wait until the new government forms in December due to the Model Code of Conduct enforced after the announcement of the Telangana Assembly Polls 2023 schedule by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The elections are scheduled for November 30, 2023, with vote counting set for December 3, 2023.
Despite the foundation stone for the Airport Metro being laid by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in December of the previous year, there was hope among the public that work on these vital public transport projects would commence before the election dates were revealed.
Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML), the government’s special purpose vehicle, had completed the tendering process, narrowing down the selection to L&T and NCC firms. One of them was expected to be chosen as the EPC contractor for the ₹6,250 crore, 31 km project after bids were opened in mid-July. The Airport Metro, starting from the Mindspace junction, will primarily feature an overhead viaduct with some sections at ground level and a portion underground as it reaches the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) passenger terminal at Shamshabad.
Simultaneously, in July, the pending 5.5 km Old City line was revived after overcoming political challenges. Final alignment drawings for the stretch were nearing completion, with notices for land acquisition set to be sent to the approximately 1,000 affected property owners. However, there was no clear indication of funding, whether from L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) or the Government.
There was a buzz surrounding a grand inauguration for both projects at the proposed depot land in Falaknuma and another at Raidurg. However, just as everyone expected the Cabinet to approve the projects, an unusual silence prevailed. With the pre-election frenzy taking over and the poll notification, there will be a standstill until next year.
“Due to the Chief Minister’s indisposition, several crucial decisions were postponed. Until the State Cabinet greenlights the projects and an official government order is issued, these works cannot proceed on the ground,” stated top officials, requesting anonymity. Consequently, the wait for the next phase of metro rail has extended further.
