Hyderabad
oi-Ashish Rana
Rail connectivity to Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad is once again under discussion as the South Central Railway has revived a long-pending proposal to extend the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) line from Umdanagar to the airport. The proposal, which was first prepared nearly a decade ago, has returned to the spotlight amid major transport infrastructure plans taking shape around Shamshabad.
The renewed push comes at a time when several agencies are simultaneously planning large-scale connectivity projects for the airport region, including Metro Rail expansion, a high-speed rail hub and a major new bus terminal.
South Central Railway is reviving a decade-old MMTS line extension proposal from Umdanagar to Hyderabad’s Shamshabad airport, amid plans for Metro Rail Phase II, a bullet train hub at Bahadurguda, and a new TGSRTC bus terminal to integrate transport.
Railways Revisit 10-Year-Old MMTS Airport Plan
Railway officials said the original proposal aimed to improve direct rail access to the airport through MMTS connectivity. The earlier plan included doubling and electrification of railway tracks between Falaknuma and Umdanagar, along with construction of a new six-kilometre railway line connecting the route to Shamshabad airport.
Officials had estimated the total project cost at around ₹100 crore at the time. However, the proposal reportedly stalled after opposition from GMR, according to railway sources.
Now, with fresh infrastructure developments planned around Shamshabad, railway authorities have once again started evaluating the MMTS extension project.
Bullet Train Hub Planned Near Shamshabad
The MMTS proposal has resurfaced alongside South Central Railway’s plan to establish a high-speed bullet train hub for Telangana at Bahadurguda near Shamshabad.
Officials said the proposed facility will spread across nearly 450 acres and is expected to become a key transport centre for future high-speed rail services. Proposed bullet train routes from the hub are expected to connect Hyderabad with cities including Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune.
The Telangana government is also preparing to begin Metro Rail Phase II works towards Shamshabad, further strengthening the region’s transport infrastructure.
TGSRTC Plans Large Bus Terminal Near Airport
At the same time, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation is preparing plans for a major bus terminal close to the airport zone. Officials said nearly 150 acres of land are being acquired for the project.
Authorities believe that adding MMTS connectivity to the area would help integrate rail, metro and bus transport systems, creating smoother public transport access to the airport from multiple parts of Hyderabad.
Large numbers of passengers currently travel to Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Nampally and Charlapalli railway stations before relying on cabs, buses or other transport modes to reach the airport.
Officials said an MMTS connection could provide a low-cost and direct public transport option for passengers travelling from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Officials Focus On Affordable Airport Connectivity
With Metro Rail Phase II, the proposed high-speed rail hub and the new TGSRTC bus terminal all centred around Shamshabad, officials are working towards creating an integrated transport network for airport commuters.
Railway officials believe extending MMTS services to Shamshabad could improve connectivity across Hyderabad while also reducing travel costs for passengers heading to the airport.
