Hyderabad commuters demand extra Metro coaches amid delayed State takeover

On 3 July 2026, Hyderabad Metro commuters and civil society groups demanded the immediate procurement of additional train coaches to address worsening overcrowding across the transit network, amid ongoing delays in the State government's proposed takeover of the system.

Currently, all 56 Metro trains operating across three active corridors in Hyderabad run with only three coaches each. This configuration has proved increasingly inadequate for the nearly 4.5 lakh daily commuters who experience heavy congestion, particularly during peak travel hours.

Recognising the rising demand, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) previously conducted a study on passenger loads, station footfalls, and route congestion. Following the study, HMRL announced in November 2025 that it planned to introduce four-coach and six-coach trains on high-density routes.

At the time, HMRL Managing Director Sarfraz Ahmed stated that the agency would determine suitable train configurations, including a mix of three, four, and six-coach trains, depending on route requirements rather than just adding coaches to existing trains.

However, these expansion plans remain stalled. The introduction of new coaches is dependent on the State government completing its proposed takeover of the Hyderabad Metro from L&T Metro. Even after the takeover is finalized and orders are placed, officials estimate it will take at least two years for the new coaches to be delivered and commissioned.

In response to the mounting delays, civil society organisations have increased pressure on the government. Groups including Citizens for Better Public Transport, the Urban Development Forum, and the Hyderabad Citizens Forum have written to the Chief Secretary. They are urging the State government to immediately initiate the procurement process to ease the daily rush for office-goers, IT professionals, and students.

Donthi Narasimha Reddy of Citizens for Better Public Transport highlighted that the current rake capacity is insufficient to handle the growing passenger rush. Despite these appeals, commuters are expected to face continued overcrowding for the foreseeable future as the transition from L&T Metro remains unresolved.