Centre Clears AP Metro DPRs While Hyderabad Expansion Plans Remain Stalled

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has cleared Detailed Project Reports for Metro projects in Andhra Pradesh while leaving Hyderabad’s Phase II expansion proposals—including key routes connecting BHEL, Lakdikapul, and LB Nagar—pending approval. The delay has drawn criticism from the Telangana government, which accused the Centre of discriminating against the state.

While the approval for Andhra Pradesh's 84-km network in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada has been sent to the Union Finance Ministry for financial appraisal, Telangana's proposals remain stalled. Hyderabad currently operates a 69.2-km network across three corridors, but commuter demands for expanded connectivity remain unfulfilled.

The history of Phase II approvals has faced repeated hurdles. In 2021, the previous BRS government submitted a DPR for a 26-km stretch from BHEL to Lakdikapul and a 5-km extension from LB Nagar to Nagole, alongside proposals for Kokapet and Warangal. The Central government rejected the Phase II proposal in 2023, citing lower Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic and insufficient projected ridership.

Following the change in state leadership in December 2023, the Congress government submitted revised proposals covering 122 km across seven routes under Phase II-A, in addition to three routes under Phase II-B. However, these revised plans have yet to receive Central approval.

In addition to the Phase II delay, the state's efforts to take over Metro Phase I have progressed slowly. On July 4, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy wrote to Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, requesting that SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS) be assigned the valuation and financial assessment of Phase I and that terms of reference be finalized.

Meanwhile, the Centre has approved over 380 km of Metro rail projects in other major Indian cities since January 2024, including expansions in Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, Jaipur, and Delhi. The contrast has intensified political scrutiny over Telangana's pending proposals and the efforts to secure clearances from the Central government.