Hyderabad Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to explore personal rapid transit systems, or podcars, for congested areas of the city, with proposed links between residential and industrial hubs and Metro Rail, MMTS and bus stations.
The direction was issued during a review meeting on Hyderabad Core Urban Region Economy projects. Reddy asked officials to study leading personal rapid transit systems globally, identify suitable corridors and assess how the proposed network could be operated and maintained. Podcars, also known as railed taxis, typically run on elevated tracks and carry between three and six passengers.
Officials were told to focus on locations with heavy passenger movement, including areas used by workers and employees of industrial establishments. The proposed system is intended to supplement existing public transport rather than operate in isolation, with connectivity to Hyderabad’s Metro, MMTS and bus networks forming part of the review.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to accelerate flyover and underpass projects intended to improve connections across the Core Urban Region. During a review of traffic management around KBR Park, he called for measures to streamline the one-way traffic system, including improvements at junctions connecting colonies and major roads, free-left turns and U-turns.
Reddy instructed officials to speed up utility shifting and complete related works at the earliest. He specifically directed officials to accelerate construction of the flyover from Nagarjuna Circle towards Jubilee Hills Check Post. Referring to the pace of infrastructure projects in Mumbai, he asked officials to examine construction technologies and methods used there and ensure that projects are completed within a year once work begins.
Officials were also asked to examine the feasibility of a radial road parallel to the proposed Hyderabad-Mumbai bullet train corridor. The review will include the possibility of widening existing roads and constructing new links between Shankarpally and Chevella.
The meeting covered water infrastructure as well. Officials informed the Chief Minister that plans had been prepared to use 500 million litres per day of recycled water. Reddy directed them to ensure supplies for Bharat Future City, data centres at Chandanvelly and Aluru, and other industrial establishments. He also called for recycled water to be promoted in high-rise buildings, landscaped areas and parks.
Implementation of the CURE Act will involve coordination among the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporations, HYDRAA, the Water Board and Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited, according to the directions issued at the meeting. Reddy also asked officials to expedite the establishment of offices for the Cyberabad and Malkajgiri corporations. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Minister’s secretary C. Manicka Raj, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited adviser N.V.S. Reddy, municipal commissioners and the Water Board’s managing director K. Ashok Reddy.
