Will Hyderabad Metro Rail expand swiftly with Phase-II? How?

**Hyderabad Metro Rail is poised for a significant expansion with Phase-II**, which is set to transform the city's transportation landscape. The key points indicating a swift and impactful expansion are as follows: 1. **Approved and Funded Projects**: Phase-II of the Hyderabad Metro Rail has been approved by the State Cabinet, with central approval pending. The project is a joint venture between the Telangana government and the Centre, which will enable the state to access loans from multilateral agencies at a nominal interest rate. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 24,269 crore, with the Telangana government's share projected to be 30%, the Centre's share 18%, and the loan component 48%. 2. **Corridor Extensions and Interconnectivity**: Phase-II will extend the metro rail network by adding 63 km, bringing the total to approximately 116.2 km. The project includes five corridors, such as the Nagole-Shamshabad RGIA (Airport Corridor) and Raidurg-Kokapet Neopolis, which will connect major residential and commercial areas, including the airport. The project will also feature an interchange station at Raidurg, enhancing connectivity to other parts of the city. 3. **Public-Private Partnership and Centre Support**: The project is proposed as a joint venture with the Centre, which is crucial for accessing loans from multilateral agencies at a nominal interest rate. This model is more favorable than the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model used for the first phase, which had a higher interest rate. 4. **Infrastructure Development and Property Impact Reduction**: Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) is executing the project and has taken measures to reduce the impact on properties along the proposed metro lines. Engineering redesign has minimized property impact, and compensation has been disbursed to affected property owners. The alignment has been optimized to reduce the number of affected properties, from 1,000 to 900, through careful engineering redesign and realignment. 5. **Progress and Timeline**: The project is expected to provide a much-needed boost to public transportation in Hyderabad, which relies heavily on buses and private vehicles. The completion of the project is anticipated to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and provide a safe and reliable mode of transportation. The project is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 24,269 crore. In conclusion, the expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail with Phase-II is well-funded, well-planned, and the government is taking measures to minimize disruptions to the public. The project is expected to be completed in the near future, bringing a significant improvement to the city's transportation infrastructure.