In a bold move to rescue Hyderabad’s faltering metro dream, BJP leader and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has written to CM A Revanth Reddy, demanding urgent acceleration of land acquisition for the city’s metro extensions. The letter, dispatched amid growing commuter frustration, underscores the critical impasse threatening Phase-II expansions.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) reports that over 200 acres of land remain unacquired across key stretches, leading to stalled tenders and ballooning expenses. Routes vital for IT hubs like HITEC City and financial districts are particularly affected, with construction crews idle and deadlines slipping month after month.
Reddy, representing Secunderabad in Parliament, lambasted bureaucratic red tape and political indecision. He advocated for a war-room approach: appointing special acquisition officers, leveraging digital land records for quicker surveys, and offering premium compensation to expedite voluntary handovers. ‘Central funding is ready; state machinery must match the pace,’ he asserted.
The appeal resonates deeply in a city where metro ridership has surged 25% year-on-year, yet capacity strains under explosive urban growth. Experts estimate that resolving acquisition issues could shave years off the project timeline, unlocking 15,000 crore rupees in economic activity.
With opposition voices amplifying the call, Revanth Reddy faces mounting pressure to prioritize this infrastructure cornerstone. Success here could cement his legacy as a decisive leader; inaction risks painting his government as development-delaying. Hyderabad’s commuters await concrete steps that turn political rhetoric into rail reality.