Hyderabad Metro

The Hyderabad Metro, an underground metro system, is a primary mode of public transport in the city of Hyderabad, India. It was commissioned on 29 November 2017. Currently, the system consists of 24 stations spread over 2 lines and covers a distance of 30 km (19 miles). However, a significant part of the metro is still under construction. When completed, the metro will have 64 stations on 3 lines.

As a modern metro system, it has sophisticated features. Fares are based on the distance travelled and start from as little as 10 rupees ($US 0.15). The metro system operates from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm or 12:00 am, depending on the line. However, there is no direct service to the airport.

The system is also known as Metro Rail. There is no information on daily passenger numbers or fares. It’s unclear whether the system operates 24 hours a day, allows people to walk between platforms, has driverless trains or platforms with screen doors. However, it is confirmed that the system has air conditioning.

The system operates at an average speed of 34km/h and can reach a top speed of 80km/h. It is operated by the Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. (HMRL). The operating hours are from 4:25 to 23:10 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is 10 rupees.

Hyderabad Metro Map

Map of Hyderabad Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Hyderabad Metro map in PDF format.

Overview of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, located in south-central India, is the country’s fourth most populous city with a population of 6.7 million. Its metropolitan area is home to 7.75 million people, making it the sixth largest urban agglomeration in India.

Hyderabad is currently the capital of the state of Telangana and continues to function as the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh during the transition period. The city’s rich history of conquest and colonisation is evident in its tourist attractions.

Hyderabad is known for its contributions to cinematography and medical manufacturing, as well as its cutting-edge molecular biology centres and technology product manufacturing in Genome Valley. While English and Hindi are widely spoken, the city’s official languages are Telugu and Urdu. Hyderabad has a tropical climate with minimal temperature fluctuations.

The Hyderabad Metro, which is still in its initial phase, currently spans 30 kilometres (18.6 miles). Upon completion of the first phase, it is expected to extend to 66.56 kilometres (41.36 miles), making it a significantly expansive system.

As a new metro system, inaugurated in 2017, it mainly features elevated tracks with spacious platforms. The trains, which are automatic, are manufactured by the Japanese company Hyundai Rotem. They are 3.2 metres wide and 4 metres high, with four doors per carriage.

The metro serves approximately 60,000 passengers daily and 720,000 passengers annually. Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. (HMRL) operates the system, which is primarily privately owned, although the state government also has a stake.

History of the Hyderabad Metro

With India’s rapidly growing urban population, particularly in cities like Hyderabad, the need for an efficient public transport system was urgent. In 2003, Hyderabad and its twin city, Secunderabad, launched the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), which acts as a commuter train between the two cities.

However, due to system inefficiencies and deterioration over time, there was a growing need for an urban metro system. Planning for such a system began in 2003 as a second phase of the modal system. The Hyderabad Metro was envisioned as an ambitious system that would develop into a comprehensive mode of transport in a short period of time.

The original plan for the metro was to cover 71.16 kilometres (44.2 miles) and include 66 stations. Although the initial plan was for the system to be completed by 2015, test trains began running in 2014 and the first phase was inaugurated on 29 November 2017.

Hyderabad Metro Lines and Stations

The Hyderabad Metro, an extensive urban transport system, is still under development. Currently, only two of the planned five lines are operational, with a total of 66 stations planned. Here is an overview of the existing lines:

Red Line

The Red Line was inaugurated alongside the system on 29 November 2017. Spanning 29.27 kilometres (18.2 miles) and consisting of 27 elevated stations, it is currently operating with 13 active stations. These include: Miyapur, J.N.T.U College, K.P.H.B. Colony, Kukatpally, Balanagar, Moosapet, Bharatnagar, Erragadda Road, ESI Hospital, S.R Nagar and Ameerpet. The latter will serve as a link to the Blue Line. When completed, this line will reach L.B. Nagar (Bahadurguda).

Blue Line

The Blue Line, like the Red Line, was launched with the system on 29 November 2017. It will extend over 29 kilometres (18 miles) and include 24 stations. Currently, 17 stations are operational, including: Nagole, Uppal, Survey of India, NGRI, Habsiguda, Tarnaka, Mettuguda, Secunderabad, Parade Grounds, Paradise, Rasoolpura, Prakash Nagar, Begumpet and Ameerpet. Ameerpet station connects to the Red Line. When completed, the Blue Line will extend to Raidurg.

Connections with Other Systems

Several public transport systems operate within Hyderabad and its metropolitan area. These include the Multi-Modal Transportation System, a suburban transport system that connects the city with surrounding localities. This system intersects with the Bharat Nagar and Begumpet stations of the Red Line and the Parade Ground station of the Blue Line.

Buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) are another major public transport system in Hyderabad. This government-run company provides bus services within the city and to the suburbs. It offers mid-range services known as Super Luxury, Luxury and Express and premium services known as Vajra, Vennela, Garuda Plus, Garuda and Rajadhani. The Miyapur terminal of the Red Line is one of the stations connecting to the bus system.

Long-distance trains operated by the Indian Railways also form an important transport network in Hyderabad. Major long-distance stations include Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Deccan, Kachiguda, Ligampally, Falaknuma and Begumpet, all of which are connected to the metro’s Blue Line.

Connections with the Airport

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in the village of Shamshabad, 24 kilometres (15 miles) south of the city, serves Hyderabad’s air travel needs. Although the metro system does not currently extend directly to the airport, an extension from Falaknuma to the airport is being considered for Phase II of the metro development. Currently, the Pushpak – Airport Liner bus operated by TSRTC provides the most convenient link to the airport from several metro stations including Uppal, Begumpet, J.N.T.U. College, Secunderabad and Tarnaka.

Schedule and Frequency

Overall, the Hyderabad Metro operates continuously from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The frequency of the trains varies. On the Red Line, the first train departs from Miyapur station at 6:00 am and the last train arrives at Ameerpet station at 10:48 pm. During the day, Red Line trains run every eight minutes. On the Blue Line, the first train leaves Ameerpet station at 6:00 am and the last train arrives at Nagole station at 11:30 pm. The Blue Line runs every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

The Hyderabad Metro, like many Indian metros, has a fare structure based on the distance between stations. Fares range from 10 rupees ($US 0.15) to 60 rupees ($US 0.93). Passengers can purchase tokens or cards for their journeys from ticket vending machines or manage their accounts via smartphones.

Apart from single journey tickets, passengers can also purchase contactless Nebula cards at Nagole, Tarnaka, Prakash Nagar and Sr Nagar stations. These cards cost 200 rupees ($3.08 USD), of which 100 rupees ($1.54 USD) goes towards the fare and the remaining 100 rupees is a security deposit.

System Rules

The Hyderabad Metro operates under specific guidelines to ensure smooth and orderly operations for its users. These include

Priority seating for elderly and pregnant passengers. Under no circumstances should other passengers occupy these designated seats.
A maximum of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of baggage may be carried free of charge. An additional charge of one rupee per kilogram will apply for baggage weighing between 10 and 40 kilograms (88.2 pounds). Each piece of baggage should not exceed the dimensions of 65 x 45 x 25 centimetres (26 x 18 x 10 inches).
Standard tickets should be purchased no more than 29 minutes before entering the system. After 29 minutes, a new ticket must be purchased upon entry.
During peak hours, various authorised staff will be selling tickets. Make sure your ticket bears the system’s distinctive mark, regardless of where it was purchased.
The amount of time you can spend in a station is limited. No one, including Nebula card holders, is allowed to stay in the same station for more than two consecutive hours.
All types of knives, kerosene, other chemical products and explosives are strictly prohibited in the Metro.

Future Plans

Recognised as a comprehensive mobility system, the Hyderabad Metro is currently in its first phase of construction, which consists of six phases. The first phase of the metro aims to create a 66.56 kilometre (41.36 mile) network, including the 10.06 kilometre (6.3 mile) Green Line. The remaining three phases are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

After the completion of the first phase, Hyderabad Metro plans to proceed with the already approved second phase. This phase will add 2 more lines to the system, divided into 8 sections.

Travel Tips

Indian metro systems usually base fares on the distance travelled, so route planning is essential to avoid problems with purchasing or boarding.
Language barriers can be a challenge, especially for tourists. However, English signage is always present, along with Telugu and sometimes Hindi and Urdu in outlying areas.
In the event of a disruption, you should inform the Metro staff, who can be identified by their uniforms.
To save time, you can buy tickets in advance using your smartphone.

Interesting Facts

Hyderabad Metro, the eleventh urban metro system in India, has two lines in operation, although it only recently opened. The aim is to have the entire first phase operational by December 2018.

The mascot of the Hyderabad Metro is a prince called Niz, sitting on a flying carpet. His name is derived from ‘Nizam’, the title of Hyderabad’s monarch until it became a republic in 1954.

Metro has won awards including the 2015 SAP ACE in the Strategic Human Resources and Talent Management category.

Exploring Hyderabad Via Metro

Hyderabad, a modern city, is known for its large population, diverse culture, numerous lakes and the presence of Muslim and Buddhist populations. Here are some of the places you can visit while travelling on the Hyderabad Metro:

Hussain Sagar Lake: Hyderabad’s most important lake, with several attractions along its shores, is accessible from Begumpet and Rasoolpura stations.

Camp Gymkhana: This important cricket camp in Secuderabad is accessible by metro between Paradise and Parade Ground stations.

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology: A national institute known for its research in various fields of science, it can be reached by getting off at Habsiguda station.