HYDERABAD, JAN 2    :   Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy conducted a comprehensive review of Phase-II Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) proposals on Tuesday.

Following a detailed presentation by HMRL MD NVS Reddy, the Chief Minister directed the expansion proposals to cover major parts of the city and cater to the maximum number of commuters. He instructed the MD to refine Phase-II proposals in collaboration with the Commissioner, HMDA, an official statement said.

Addressing the proposal to widen the road from Darulshifa Jn to Shalibanda Jn in the Old city Metro Rail stretch, the Chief Minister suggested examining the feasibility of widening the road from Darulshifa Junction to Falaknuma Junction to 100 ft. He believes this could open up the Old city for rapid development, similar to other parts of the city.

However, he emphasized that during road widening and Metro Rail planning, none of the identified 103 religious, heritage, and other sensitive structures in the Old city should be adversely impacted. He expressed a willingness to personally inspect and involve public representatives in this endeavor.

Regarding the Airport Metro plan proposed by the earlier government from Raidurg to Shamshabad Airport, the Chief Minister decided to put it on hold, given the availability of a wide Outer Ring Road (ORR). Instead, he proposed planning Airport Metro connectivity from MGBS via the Old city and from LB Nagar, bridging the remaining gap of 5 km from Nagole to LB Nagar Metro stations.

The Chief Minister instructed MD, HMRL to swiftly conduct traffic studies and prepare DPRs for the revised Airport Metro alignment via the Old city and from LB Nagar.

He also directed the examination of the feasibility of laying a part of the Metro in the Laxmiguda-Jalpally-Mamidipally stretch at road level, considering the presence of a 40 ft wide central median without obstructions in this stretch. This approach could reduce the cost of Metro Rail construction.

Additionally, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed Prl. Secretary, MA&UD & HMDA Commissioner M Dana Kishore and CMO Prl. Secretary V Seshadri to identify large extents of Government land along this stretch for Transit Oriented Development, contributing to the funding of the Airport Metro project and supporting development in the Old city and its surroundings.

The Chief Minister also directed MD, HMRL to prepare extensions of existing Metro corridors to nearby destinations, facilitating the city’s growth in all directions. These plans include extensions from Miyapur to Chandanagar-BHEL-Patancheruvu, MGBS to Falaknuma-Chandrayanagutta-Mailardevpalli-P7 Road-Airport, Nagole to LBNagar-Owaisi Hospital-Chandrayanagutta-Mailardevepalli-Aramgarh-New High Court site at Rajendranagar on NH, and the extension of Corridor-III from Raidurg station to Financial District via Biodiversity Jn, IIIT Junction, and ISB road.

Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, IG Intelligence B. Shivadhar Reddy, and CMO Secretary Shahnawaz Qasim were also present during the meeting.(UNI)