Express train halts sought at Hyderabad suburban stations
HYDERABAD: Daily commuters in Hyderabad have urged the South Central Railway to provide permanent halts for select express trains at suburban railway stations, saying the move would reduce travel time, ease congestion at major terminals and cut commuting costs.
The demand has gained traction as redevelopment work at Secunderabad railway station has led to operational changes, with some trains, including the Tungabhadra Express, originating from Kacheguda. Passengers from Gadwal, Mahabubnagar, Bollaram and Malkajgiri say they now have to spend extra on buses and autorickshaws to reach Kacheguda every day.
They pointed out that the Tungabhadra Express is stabled overnight at Medchal before being taken to Kacheguda in the morning. A one-minute halt at either Malkajgiri or Bollaram, they said, would save hundreds of commuters from unnecessary travel and expense.
Hi-tech City commuters seek permanent express train halt
Passengers have also renewed demands for express train halts at several suburban stations across Hyderabad.
At Hi-tech City, commuters say the station, redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, should receive permanent halts for express trains serving the Information Technology corridor. Employees from Madhapur, Gachibowli and Kondapur currently travel to Secunderabad or Hyderabad (Nampally) stations to board long-distance trains. During festival seasons, around 10 express trains receive temporary halts at the station, and passengers want these made permanent. The station has recently been upgraded with modern passenger amenities.
At Umdanagar, located near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, passengers have long sought halts for express trains operating towards Bengaluru and Kurnool, citing the station’s strategic location.
Malkajgiri and Malakpet among key demands
Malkajgiri, one of the busiest suburban junctions in the Secunderabad Division, serves hundreds of residential colonies. Passengers are seeking stoppages for more long-distance trains bound for north India and Andhra Pradesh. Railway authorities have recently approved halts for trains such as the Chennai Egmore–Nagarsol Express, Tirupati–Shirdi Express, Yesvantpur–Lucknow Express and Hyderabad–Hisar Express following representations from commuters. Their principal demand now is a halt for the Tungabhadra Express.
At Malakpet, redevelopment work under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is progressing at an estimated cost of about ₹26.5 crore. At present, only the Tungabhadra Express and the Guntur–Kacheguda Express stop there. Residents of the Old City and Dilsukhnagar areas have sought halts for more Rayalaseema-bound and intercity express trains.
Railway officials said the proposals have reached the administration and would be examined based on passenger demand, revenue implications, line capacity and the impact on train punctuality before any decision is taken.
