Hyderabad Airport Metro MD Inspects Medchal and Shamirpet Corridors for Seamless Connectivity
The Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HAML) Managing Director, NVS Reddy, along with his team of senior engineers and technical consultants, conducted a crucial inspection of the Metro rail corridors to Medchal and Shamirpet on Sunday. The review aimed to assess and address several technical challenges, particularly with the alignment of these critical routes.
One of the primary issues highlighted during the inspection was the steep curvature along the stretch from Paradise to Bowenpally, near the airport boundary. This part of the Metro route posed significant engineering challenges, especially as the proposed path runs close to the airport. In response to the concerns of the airport authorities, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) proposed routing the elevated Metro corridor under the Begumpet airport runway (near Tadbund/Bowenpally) through a tunnel for approximately 600 metres. However, this shift from an elevated structure to an underground tunnel and back to an elevated structure introduced substantial engineering difficulties that required careful consideration. The transition could complicate the construction process and potentially increase project costs.
To address this issue and improve the overall connectivity, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy recommended a more integrated approach. The suggestion involved initially combining the Paradise-Medchal and JBS-Shamirpet Metro corridors before splitting them into separate routes later. This would simplify the alignment, avoid tunnel complications, and ensure that both corridors are well-connected at the Jubilee Bus Station (JBS), creating a robust and seamless Metro system. The HAML team, including Reddy, assessed several roads in the Cantonment area, such as JBS-Secunderabad Club Road, Staff Road, Mudfort Road, and Tivoli Junction, among others. The goal was to determine the most efficient and feasible alignment while minimising disruption to residential areas and reducing the need for private property acquisition.
One key solution identified was to combine both Metro corridors at JBS, which would allow them to bypass the complexities of the airport tunnel. Instead, the Metro route would connect at the NH junction near Bowenpally, where Metro pillars and viaducts could be constructed on the existing service road median. This would create a continuous 60-kilometre Metro link from Medchal to the airport, significantly enhancing connectivity across the region. For the JBS-Shamirpet route, the team concluded that a double-elevated structure could be built directly from the first Metro pillar near Secunderabad Club. This would be constructed over the proposed HMDA elevated corridor along the Karimnagar Highway, ensuring minimal disruption and a streamlined flow of the Metro.
The inspection also involved discussions about transforming JBS into a major Metro hub. This vision includes serving not only Secunderabad but also northern Hyderabad and nearby districts in northern Telangana. Plans are in place to pool approximately 30 acres of land from the State Government and Defence authorities to support this project, which could be a game-changer in the region’s transport infrastructure. The review was supported by key officials, including Chief Project Manager B Anand Mohan, General Managers B N Rajeshwar, M Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, and A Balakrishna, who all contributed to the successful evaluation and planning process. This inspection is a significant step towards resolving critical challenges and advancing the development of Hyderabad’s Metro network, ensuring it meets the needs of residents, businesses, and commuters alike. The improvements and thoughtful planning will help make the city’s Metro system more efficient, accessible, and future-ready.
