Telangana Assembly clears resolution to take over Hyderabad Metro phase-I from L&T
Hyderabad, March 29
The Telangana Government has decided to undertake the Metro Rail expansion project by taking into consideration the broader interests of the people and the demand from the various sections of the society in the state, the release said.
On Saturday, the government conducted a thorough review of the hurdles and challenges posed to take up the Metro Rail expansion.
The existing Metro Phase I network spans a total of 69 km. The state government submitted proposals for the expansion of Phase II(A) (covering 76.4 kilometres) and Phase II(B) (covering 86.1 kilometres) to the Union Government. The state government presented the current status of the situation for the expansion of the Hyderabad Metro.
While Phase I metro rail is currently under private management, the government has taken into consideration the technical, legal, and operational challenges involved in undertaking Phase II through a joint venture by the state and central governments.
To address the issues raised by the Central Government, the House hereby approves the State Government's decision, to be executed through the HMRL, to take over the Metro Phase I network from the L&T company.
Therefore, the respected House endorses the decisions taken by the State Government regarding the process of taking over Metro Phase I and extends its full support to this initiative.
Further, this House urged the State Government to make vigorous efforts to secure the Central Government's approval for the Metro Rail Phase II expeditiously.
Earlier, the Telangana State Cabinet had approved a series of wide-ranging legislative and policy measures that reflect a calibrated push toward social regulation, welfare expansion, and institutional accountability.
The decisions, spanning issues from hate speech to gig economy protections and public infrastructure, indicate an effort to respond to emerging social and economic challenges while reinforcing governance frameworks.
At the core of the Cabinet's decisions is the approval of the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crime Prevention Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to address the growing concern over divisive content and speeches that disrupt communal harmony.
By targeting hate-driven posts and provocative rhetoric that could trigger violence or unrest, the bill attempts to create a legal deterrent against social polarisation, particularly in an era dominated by rapid digital communication.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the intent might be good, I'm worried about efficiency. L&T ran the metro quite professionally. Government takeovers in other sectors haven't always led to better service. Hope HMRL is prepared for the massive operational responsibility and doesn't let maintenance or cleanliness standards drop. Fingers crossed.
Finally! Expansion plans for Phase II look massive - adding over 160 km? That would be a game-changer for city connectivity and decongestion. The central government must approve this ASAP. Hyderabad's growth needs this infrastructure boost. The hate speech bill mentioned is also a crucial step for social harmony in our diverse state.
As a daily metro commuter, my only request is: please don't mess with the current frequency and reliability. The takeover should be seamless for us passengers. Also, hope the fares remain reasonable. Public transport should be affordable for all.
Good decision overall. A unified approach between state and centre for Phase II makes sense to avoid delays. The Hyderabad Metro is a point of pride for Telangana. Taking control of Phase I gives the government more leverage to plan the network as a whole, not in disconnected private-public pieces. Jai Telangana!
The article mentions "broader interests of the people". I truly hope that means expanding the network to more residential and suburban areas, not just commercial hubs. Last-mile connectivity also needs to be addressed. The hate speech bill is a welcome parallel move – development needs a peaceful social foundation.
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