Metro plans to add six-coach trains, increase frequency as crowds swell
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) is planning to introduce four- and six-coach trains on high-demand routes to ease congestion during peak hours. The proposal follows years of commuter requests for more coaches, as the existing three coach trains are unable to handle rising passenger numbers.
Currently, all 56 Metro trains operating across Hyderabad’s three corridors have three coaches each. Officials said the new coaches would be procured from one of the three domestic manufacturing units Alstom, BEML Limited, or Titlagarh Rail Systems.
Plan includes 40–60 new coaches
HMRL managing director Sarfaraz Ahmad told The Times of India that a detailed assessment of passenger footfall and operational feasibility indicated a need for 40–60 additional coaches. “The new coaches will not be attached to the existing trains. We are evaluating a mix of three, four, and six coach configurations based on route requirements and crowd patterns,” Ahmad said.
He added that once implemented, train frequency could be increased, reducing waiting times to as little as two minutes.
Project to take at least two years
Officials said the procurement process is still in preliminary stages. “Once we place the order, it will take around two years for the coaches to reach Hyderabad. After the takeover from L&T is completed, we will actively pursue the expansion,” the MD added.
Commuters welcomed the move. “Finding a seat during evening hours is very difficult. Adding more coaches will ease overcrowding,” said Satya Prakash, an IT professional who travels from Nagole to Begumpet.
Women passengers also sought additional dedicated coaches. “At present, only one coach is reserved for women. If HMRL could allocate two, it would boost ridership and make travel safer,” said Siri Varshini, a school counsellor.
