Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro Rail is set to add 60 new coaches to its existing fleet as rising passenger numbers increase pressure on the city’s public transport network. The expansion is aimed at increasing carrying capacity and accommodating continued growth in daily ridership.
The Telangana government has directed Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited to accelerate the procurement process. The proposed expansion will add one coach to each of the 57 existing three-coach trains, allowing more passengers to travel without requiring a complete increase in the number of train sets. Hyderabad Metro currently operates across a 69.2-km network covering three corridors. Around 4.6 lakh passengers use the system every day, with approximately 1,200 train trips being operated daily. The additional coaches are expected to improve capacity on busy routes where trains can experience high passenger loads during peak hours. Adding coaches to existing trains could provide a relatively direct way to increase capacity while making use of the network’s existing infrastructure. Each new coach is estimated to cost around ₹20 crore, putting the potential procurement value of 60 coaches at approximately ₹1,200 crore. The project is also expected to support domestic manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
Bharat Earth Movers Limited, or BEML, is reportedly being considered for manufacturing the new coaches. The company has previously supplied metro coaches to cities including Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. The new coaches are expected to follow specifications compatible with Hyderabad Metro’s existing systems. This would allow them to operate with the current Communication Based Train Control system and reduce the need for major changes to existing train operations. Hyundai Rotem, which supplied the current Hyderabad Metro coaches, is reportedly willing to share technology with BEML. The arrangement could help maintain compatibility between the existing fleet and the proposed coaches. The procurement process has, however, faced delays linked to the transfer of the first phase of Hyderabad Metro from L&T Metro to the state government. Officials are currently discussing technical requirements with BEML while the broader handover and valuation process continues.
Authorities are targeting delivery of the new coaches within eight to 10 months. The final timeline could depend on procurement procedures, technical approvals and the completion of discussions between the concerned agencies. The expansion comes as Hyderabad continues to depend increasingly on mass transit to manage traffic congestion and support urban mobility. Higher metro capacity could encourage more commuters to shift from private vehicles to public transport, particularly along heavily travelled corridors. For Hyderabad, the proposed 60-coach addition is therefore more than a fleet expansion. Its success will depend on timely procurement, reliable operations and continued investment in stations, signalling, connectivity and last-mile transport as the city’s passenger demand grows.
