Hyderabad: Telangana govt may need to invest nearly ₹4 lakh crore in transport and mobility infrastructure across the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region by 2050 to support the city’s rapid expansion and rising travel demand.The estimate was presented during a workshop organised by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) as part of the preparation of the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP), which will feed into the metropolitan region’s master plan for 2050. The proposals were submitted by LEA Associates South Asia Private Ltd, the consultant tasked with preparing the CMP. A major component of the plan focuses on expanding the city’s rail-based public transport network. According to the presentation, the cumulative length of additional metro rail corridors required is projected at 258 km by 2030, expanding to 534 km by 2040 and reaching about 556 km by 2050. The proposed corridors are twin-track lines, with one track operating in each direction. The suburban rail network under the multi-modal transport system is also expected to grow significantly. The additional MMTS network required for the city is estimated at 202 km by 2030 and 255 km by 2040, eventually extending to 336 km by 2050. “The road and highway network, which includes higher order road transport network, arterial and sub-arterial corridors with right of way greater than 18 m, is proposed in addition to the existing road network. For the years 2030, 2040 and 2050, it will be 223 km, 2,640 km and 2,847 km, respectively. In terms of lane-km, road network supply increase for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050 would be 759 lane-km, 11,070 lane-km and 19,352 lane-km, respectively,” MP Raju, managing director of LEA Associates, said while presenting the recommendations.The plan also projects extensive supporting infrastructure to improve connectivity and reduce congestion. By 2050, the city could see 75 grade separators, 120 foot overbridges (FOBs) and skywalks, 34 rail overbridges, 16 rail underbridges, eight elevated roads and 29 bridges across the Musi river.“The CMP also identified the length of potential road corridors for dedicated bus lanes and the bus rapid transit system as about 29 km by 2040, and further extended to 48 km by 2050,” In addition, the CMP recommends establishing seven intercity and inter-state bus terminals across the metropolitan region. During the workshop, officials from metro rail, traffic police and the transport department shared their inputs. Traffic expert CSRK Prasad recalled earlier traffic studies for Hyderabad and appreciated HMDA’s periodic planning efforts and the creation of UMTA, while suggesting alignment of the CMP with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and extension of its coverage up to the Regional Ring Road. Joint police commissioner D Joel Davis highlighted traffic and parking challenges in core city areas and Cyberabad, recommending parking management plans and decongestion strategies. Transport commissioner K Ilambarithi stressed the need to strengthen public transport in view of the rapid growth of personalised vehicles. Special chief secretary Vikas Raj recommended strengthening the metro and MMTS systems and developing high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad with Bengaluru and Amaravati-Chennai.
