TRINET NEWS – 24 August 2026 Special Report: Momentum is picking up for the construction of the Old City metro rail, a long-cherished dream of Hyderabad's residents. Connecting the Old City with other parts of the metropolis and eventually providing a direct metro route to the airport is set to bring about crucial changes in Hyderabad’s transportation system.
The Old City route has been given special priority in the second phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail. A roughly 7.5-kilometer stretch from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Chandrayangutta has been proposed as the Old City metro line. This route will pass through Darulshifa, Shalibanda, and Falaknuma towards Chandrayangutta. Once completed, the Old City metro line will bring fast public transport to some of the city's most congested areas. Currently, heavy traffic on the roads of the Old City causes severe inconvenience to commuters. The introduction of the metro is expected not only to reduce travel time but also to ease vehicular pressure on the roads.
On the other hand, the government is also prioritizing the airport metro connectivity. Current proposals outline a roughly 36.8-kilometer route from Nagole to Shamshabad International Airport. This line is designed to reach the airport via LB Nagar, Karmanghat, the Osmania Hospital area, Chandrayangutta, Mailardevpally, and Aramgarh. This means the Old City metro and airport metro lines will interconnect, creating a broader transport network across Hyderabad. Consequently, travelers heading from the Old City to the airport will enjoy a comfortable metro-based journey in the future.
Recently, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reviewed the Old City metro works with officials and instructed them to expedite the project. He advised them to swiftly complete road widening works along the 7.5 km MGBS-Chandrayangutta stretch and initiate the tender process for the metro works. He also directed officials to seek the cooperation of Delhi Metro authorities on necessary technical aspects. The government has likewise focused on land acquisition issues. The Telangana High Court recently permitted the continuation of the land acquisition process for the second-phase metro project, enabling officials to advance infrastructure work on the Old City route.
The construction of the Old City metro requires careful execution while safeguarding historical structures, religious sites, and the interests of local residents. Objections and legal issues have already surfaced on this matter; therefore, equal importance must be given to heritage preservation alongside development.
Once metro connectivity to the airport is completed, it will greatly benefit domestic and international travelers visiting Hyderabad. The reliance on road transport from the airport to key areas of the city will decrease. Residents living in the Old City will also gain easy access to other parts of the city and, eventually, the airport.
As Hyderabad expands rapidly, metro rail expansion has become essential for the city's future. Reducing pressure on road transport, controlling pollution, cutting down travel time, and providing comfortable public transit are among the many benefits the metro expansion will deliver. If the metro connectivity from the Old City to the airport is fully implemented, it stands to become a major milestone in Hyderabad's transportation history. This project is set to play a crucial role in giving a fresh impetus to Old City's development and shaping Hyderabad into a more modern, convenient metropolis.
