Hyderabad Metro: New Ownership, New Pods, New Era

The Telangana government is accelerating plans to take over Phase I of the 69.2-km Hyderabad Metro Rail project from L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad by the end of March 2026.

At the same time, its special purpose vehicle, Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL), is working on a last-mile connectivity solution through an elevated, battery-operated pod transport system. Each pod is expected to carry four to six passengers, with a total capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour, aimed at improving connectivity between Metro stations and nearby residential areas.

HMRL has floated a tender to appoint a consultant for conducting a techno-economic feasibility study, preparing designs, and overseeing the bidding process for the automated personal rapid transit (PRT) system. The pilot project is proposed along the Raidurg–Kukatpally corridor, covering key locations such as Raidurg, Hi-Tec City, the Financial District, and the Secretariat. The elevated pod corridor is expected to have a viaduct width of around 4–5 metres.

Similar pod-based transit systems are already in operation at Heathrow Airport, as well as in parts of the Netherlands and Abu Dhabi, offering proven models for urban mobility solutions.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.