Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, D. Sridhar Babu, has reassured Hyderabad Metro rail commuters that the State government is fully committed to delivering faster, safer, and more efficient public transportation services.
This commitment was highlighted during an unannounced Metro ride where the Minister sought to understand the daily experiences of city commuters firsthand.
A prominent figure in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s Cabinet, with several key responsibilities, Mr. Sridhar Babu’s Metro journey on Saturday follows closely after the State government’s agreement in principle to acquire Phase-I of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) from Larsen & Toubro in a substantial ₹15,000 crore transaction.
According to his office, the Minister, like any other passenger, purchased a ticket and traveled on the Metro from Nagole to Raidurg, an area in western Hyderabad rapidly emerging as a central hub for IT and innovative technology companies. During his commute, he engaged with passengers, discussing Metro services, available amenities, station safety measures, traffic challenges, and their overall impressions of public transport.
Future of Metro: Phase 2 Expansion and Beyond
The Minister also took the opportunity to detail the government’s ambitious plans to bolster urban public transportation. These initiatives include the expansion of Metro Phase-2, the proposed Regional Ring Road (RRR) project, and other forward-thinking mobility strategies. He actively encouraged commuters to share their suggestions and feedback.
Emphasizing that the current administration is a government for the people, receptive to both praise and constructive criticism, Mr. Sridhar Babu called upon citizens to support these efforts and play an active role in building a prosperous Telangana for future generations, as reported by his office.
Just two days prior, on September 25, the formal process for L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad to exit its acclaimed 15-year public-private partnership was finalized. This agreement came after a significant meeting between L&T leadership and the Chief Minister. L&T was responsible for developing and operating Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 1, which covers nearly 70 kilometers across three corridors.
L&T officially announced this in-principle agreement, stating that the State government would take over the Hyderabad Metro Special Purpose Vehicle by refinancing existing debt and acquiring L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad)’s equity at mutually agreed valuations. The company anticipates completing this divestment by the end of the current fiscal year, FY26, as per a stock exchange filing on Friday.