HYDERABAD, INDIA – The long-pending 5.5-km metro route from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Falaknuma in Hyderabad’s Old City is expected to gain momentum following the recent foundation stone laying ceremony by Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The progress is anticipated to move forward post the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The metro alignment in the Old City, stretching from MGBS to Falaknuma, passes through several key junctions including Darulshifa, Purani Haveli, Ettebar Chowk, Alijakotla, Mir Momin Daira, Haribowli, Shalibanda, Shamsheergunj, and Aliabad. This stretch was originally planned as part of the 72-km phase-1 metro. However, the 5.5 km stretch on the green line connecting MGBS-Imlibun to Falaknuma has been delayed for several years.
While construction and operations for the remaining 67 km have been completed, this particular corridor has not been taken up due to various reasons. The initial plan was for the corridor to connect the Jubilee Bus Station in Secunderabad and Falaknuma, but it was halted at MGBS-Imlibun due to land acquisition issues and demands for a change in the route alignment.
The delay is partly attributed to incomplete land acquisition procedures. Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) officials are still determining the ownership of approximately 1,100 properties affected by the proposed road widening for stations like Salarjung Museum, Charminar, Shalibanda, and Falaknuma.
With the foundation stone now laid, there is renewed hope that the metro route will soon be operational, providing a much-needed boost to connectivity in the Old City.
