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Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro commuters may soon get relief from peak-hour crowding, as Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) is planning to introduce bigger
six-coach trains instead of the current three-coach services. The move comes at a time when the number of passengers in the city is steadily rising, increasing congestion on metro routes. As per the latest proposal, officials have sent recommendations to the government to purchase 10 new six-coach trains, a decision that could significantly improve travel comfort and reduce waiting time.
Six-coach Trains to Replace Three-coach Services
At present, Hyderabad Metro runs mostly with three-coach trains, but HMRL is now working on plans to roll out heavy six-coach metro trains, as per a report by One India. If these new trains are introduced, the passenger capacity per trip is expected to almost double, offering major relief during office rush hours.Officials believe the move will help in:
- Reducing overcrowding inside trains
- Cutting down waiting time at platforms
- Making the overall ride more comfortable
Proposal Sent to Government, Approval Awaited
HMRL has already sent its proposal to the government and is now waiting for approval. Once the green signal is received, officials said they are prepared to invite global tenders for the purchase of the new train sets.
Parallel to the six-coach expansion plans, the process of the Hyderabad Metro project being taken over by the government from L&T is reportedly moving quickly. Officials say the takeover of Phase 1 is important because funding for Phase 2 may be possible only if the project comes fully under government control.
To examine the financial aspects of the ownership transfer, the government has appointed IDBI Capital as the financial advisor.
IDBI Capital Evaluating Assets, Loans and Operating Costs
IDBI Capital is currently assessing key financial components of the metro project, including:
- Metro assets
- Existing loans and liabilities
- Maintenance and operating expenses
The agency is expected to submit a detailed report to the government within a week, after which the government is likely to take a major decision on the takeover.
