Hyderabad: The comprehensive overhaul of Secunderabad railway station is on track for completion by December, said South Central Railway (SCR) officials, adding that 60% of work has been completed so far on the Rs 700-crore project.The redevelopment of one of the biggest transport hubs in the country will see the railway station transformed into an airport-like facility with world-class amenities. “The entire project, taken up at a cost of over Rs 700 crore, is expected to be completed by December, after which Secunderabad station is set to emerge as one of the most modern railway hubs in the country,” said a senior official in SCR.Adding to commuter convenience, the station will be directly linked to Secunderabad East and West Metro stations through dedicated skywalks, allowing seamless transfers without stepping onto busy roads. “The skywalk links to metro stations will be a game-changer. Passengers can switch between train and metro without coming onto the road,” the official added. Air concourseOne of the key highlights of the station redevelopment is a two-level air concourse, designed to streamline boarding and deboarding for nearly 1.5 lakh passengers who use the station daily across 180 trains.The concourse will connect both terminal sides, with the first level serving as a spacious waiting area, while the second level will house retail outlets, food courts and leisure spaces. The air concourse will act as a central circulation space, reducing the load on platforms. With separate entry and exit points, passengers will not have to deal with crowding as seen currently.To ease congestion, South Central Railway (SCR) is introducing separate entry and exit points along with travellators, ensuring passengers can move without crowding. Moreover, in a shift from the earlier open design, the entire station, including platforms and tracks, will now be covered with a roof, offering better protection and comfort. The redevelopment will also feature a new iconic station building with G+3 floors on both sides, giving it a modern look.This includes a multi-level parking facility with space for over 1,000 cars and 5,000 two-wheelers. The idea of redevelopment is to decongest the station and provide a smooth, airport-like experience for travellers, officials said.SCR is also focusing on green and energy-efficient infrastructure. Sustainability measures include a 5,000 kWp solar power plant, EV charging points for around 100 vehicles, a 500 KL sewage treatment plant and rainwater harvesting systems.Meanwhile, redevelopment work at Hyderabad (Nampally) railway station is also progressing rapidly. Taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 327 crore, the project focuses on multi-modal integration, including a FOB with travellators linking the station to the nearby Nampally Metro station. The upgrade will feature a modern air concourse, advanced security systems with comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and controlled access points to enhance passenger safety.Hyderabad is one of the 40 stations identified for redevelopment in Telangana region as Amrit Stations. In order to provide a seamless experience to the rail users, a master plan has been conceptualised to integrate the station complex with other infrastructure facilities and passenger amenities, as well as the surrounding city.
