By Shashank Pasupuleti
Hyderabad, renowned for its considerable metro community, is set to witness the addition of 9 new metro stations as part of the ambitious Airport Metro venture initiated through the Telangana authorities. The Hyderabad Airport Metro Rail Corporation has recently disclosed the precise locations where these stations will be established.
Demonstrating its commitment to the Airport Metro project, the Telangana government has dedicated substantial resources to its realization. In December, Chief Minister KCR laid the foundation stone, and subsequent surveying, peg marking, and alignment confirmation works have already been accomplished. The government has now invited global tenders for the construction phase of this crucial transportation venture.
The Rayadurgam Airport Station will serve as the inaugural point of the Airport Metro, situated at a distance of 0.9 kilometers from the Mind Space intersection. The route commences there, traversing two flyovers at the Biodiversity intersection before continuing alongside the Khajaguda pond. Upon reaching Khajaguda, it takes a right turn, passing through Nanakramguda Junction, Narsinghi, Appa Junction, Rajendranagar, and Shamshabad, ultimately arriving at the Airport via the Airport Cargo area.
The estimated length of the Airport Metro is 31 kilometers, with the Telangana government projecting a budget of Rs. 6,250 crore for the project. The state government has committed to financing the entire cost. Notably, whereas Hyderabad’s existing metro system predominantly operates above ground, the Airport Metro will introduce a subterranean component. An underground passage will be constructed in close proximity to the airport to facilitate seamless connectivity.
The 31-kilometer route primarily traverses the skies, covering a distance of 27.5 kilometers elevated above the ground. An additional kilometer travels at road level, while the remaining 2.5 kilometers operates underground. The selection of station locations was carefully determined, taking into consideration the areas of significant development. The route encompasses a total of nine stations, with the provision for constructing four additional stations, if deemed necessary.
Rayadurgam serves as the inaugural station on the route, followed by stations at Biodiversity Junction, Nanak Ranguda Junction, Narsingi, Appa Junction, Rajendranagar, Shamshabad Town, the Airport vicinity along the National Highway, and finally, a station situated within the airport terminal itself. To enhance passenger convenience, skywalks will be constructed in these areas.
In contrast to the existing city metro system, which operates at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the Airport Metro Rail is engineered to achieve a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The construction of the track will incorporate modifications to improve aerodynamics and facilitate faster train travel. The implementation of lightweight stainless steel and aluminum coaches will contribute to achieving this remarkable speed.
To enhance the overall passenger revel in, the airport metro stations will feature dedicated boards showing real-time flight arrival facts. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), stringent security measures will be implemented, together with bags screening earlier than entry into the airport. Once completed, the Airport Metro will facilitate seamless travel from Rayadurgam to Shamshabad, covering a distance of 31 kilometers in a mere 26 minutes. This not only reduces travel time but also promises to alleviate the cost burden associated with airport transportation.
Diverging from the seating arrangements commonly observed in the existing Hyderabad metro system, the Airport Metro will adopt a different approach. The placement of chair car seats will be optimized to accommodate more passengers comfortably, allowing for a more efficient utilization of space.
