Revanth Reddy Urges Centre to Expedite Hyderabad Metro Rail Expansion Funding

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken formal action regarding the ongoing challenges facing the Hyderabad Metro Rail network. In a move aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, the Chief Minister addressed an open letter to the Union Minister for Coal, G. Kishan Reddy, requesting his direct intervention to resolve critical funding and expansion bottlenecks. This initiative is pivotal for the city's future mobility, as the local administration seeks to streamline the transition and growth of the Hyderabad Metro Rail.

Addressing Funding and Operational Delays

The core of the request centers on the immediate disbursement of a sanctioned loan amounting to Rs. 13,538.53 crore from the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). This capital is essential for the state government to successfully complete its takeover of Phase-I from L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited. According to the communication, the state has already fulfilled its financial obligations, including depositing Rs. 1,461.47 crore toward equity and paying Rs. 84.32 crore as an upfront processing fee. Despite these efforts, the anticipated loan disbursement scheduled for June 15, 2026, remains pending, creating concern for the project timeline.

Expanding the Hyderabad Metro Rail Infrastructure

Beyond the financial hurdles of Phase-I, the letter highlights the urgent need to advance the Phase-II project, which spans approximately 122.9 km with an estimated investment of Rs. 38,595 crore. The state government is advocating for this expansion to be established as a 50:50 joint venture between the Central and State governments. A. Revanth Reddy emphasized that the city has faced a stagnation in network expansion for over a decade, which has negatively impacted its standing among India’s major transit-oriented cities.

To mitigate further delays, the Chief Minister urged G. Kishan Reddy to coordinate discussions with the relevant central ministries and the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. While the state prefers a joint venture approach, the administration indicated a readiness to proceed independently with internal resources and institutional financing if necessary, provided that the required central approvals are granted promptly. This proactive stance reflects the government's commitment to revitalizing urban connectivity, ensuring that the Hyderabad Metro Rail system regains its momentum as a primary driver for the region's economic and infrastructural growth.