Transport in Hyderabad | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Locale | Hyderabad and surrounding regions |
Transit type | Rapid transit,commuter rail,buses,private automobile,pedestrian |
Hyderabad, the capital and largest city ofTelangana, features a growing transportation infrastructure that includes a network of roads, railways, and a developing rapid transit system. These transportation systems play a crucial role in connecting the city's residents and facilitating efficient travel within Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. Furthermore, Hyderabad serves as a significant center for transportation and logistics, playing a crucial role in facilitating the seamless movement of goods and services within the state.[1]
Hyderabad is integrated into theNational Highway Network of India through NH 44, NH 65, NH 163, NH 765, NH 765D,[2] while four State Highways SH1, SH4, SH 6, SH 19 originate/terminate in Hyderabad.[citation needed] Hyderabad has a vehicle population of nearly 48 lakhs and is the highest after Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai.
The firstExpressway inHyderabad connectingMehdipatnam and Aramgarh opened for public in 2009 to ease connectivity toRajiv Gandhi International Airport[3] located inShamshabad, and named after the former Prime MinisterP V Narsimha Rao. An extension of this Expressway further toShamshabad was mulled in 2018.[4][5]
The Road Network in Hyderabad is characterised by a concentric network ofInner Ring Road andOuter Ring Road. The latter is an expressway stretching 158 km, built to provide orbital linkage between arterial radial roads within the city, as well as to offer connectivity the National Highways.[6]
Hyderabad has an extensive intracity, intercity/regional and interstate bus service network operated byTGSRTC, backed by the Government ofTelangana. Within the municipal limits of the city, TGSRTC plies intercity and interstate buses fromMahatma Gandhi Bus Station,Uppal Bus Station,Charminar Bus Station,Dilsukhnagar Bus Station,Koti Bus Station, Rathifile Bus Station,Ghatkesar Bus Station,Afzalgunj Bus Station,Medchal Bus Station,Sanathnagar Bus Station,ECIL Bus Station andSecretariat.[7]
City buses are deployed from their respective depots which shall have jurisdiction over the staffing and frequency of services. City and Suburban buses constitute the primary mode of transport in Hyderabad.
TGSRTC has several kinds of services which differ in comfort, price and the number of stops:[8]
The State Government ofTelangana (erstwhileAndhra Pradesh) sanctioned[12] minibuses as a self-employment generation scheme which ply between different parts of the city in addition to the city buses run by TGSRTC.
MeteredAuto Rickshaw usually referred to as an "auto", is another widely available taxi in Hyderabad. Shared 'auto' taxis are also a commonplace in Hyderabad. Mandatory Metering is contentious issue between passengers, service providers and the authorities.[13][14]
Vehicle for hire companies in Hyderabad includeUber,Ola Cabs, andtaxicabs.
South Central Railway, azone ofIndian Railways, has its headquarters located inSecunderabad.[15] In addition to offering inter-city connectivity, this zone provides sub-urban commuter transportation services in Hyderabad and Secunderabad throughMulti-Modal Transport System. In addition to the MMTS, Hyderabad has a growing rapid transit connectivity in the form of ametro system. The metro network provides links to key areas within the city, enhancing transportation options for residents and improving connectivity.
Hyderabad has acommuter transportation system known as the Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS), connecting various suburbs of Hyderabad.
However, MMTS Services, despite the load factors, have been criticised for lack of adequate frequency and inordinate delays.[16] Extension to the current project has been sought through the launch of Phase-II,[17] albeit with limited success of approval.[18][19]
Hyderabad Metro Rail, the Elevated[20] MassRapid Transit System of Hyderabad, started operations in 2017.CurrentlyHyderabad Metro carries more than 3 lakh people per day.[21][22][23][24] The initial phase of operation was 30 km long,[25][26] connectingNagole andMiyapur, over two corridors throughAmeerpetInterchange Station.[27][28][29]
The placement of Metro Stations across the city have been geared to feed the existing transport systems.[30] It was however, criticised for inability to achieve its objectives,[31][32] low frequency[33] and high fares.[34] The frequency of the services increased further since launch to address the shortage of frequency.[35][36][37]
To further connectivity,HMRL tied up withUber, to set up booking kiosks across stations.[38][39][40][41] Further, bicycle facility was launched on a limited scale.[42][43][44]
In 1935, Hyderabad'sHakimpet air base was linked with international flight services.[45] The new and modernairport atShamshabad replaced oldBegumpet Airport, on 23 March 2008. As of 2010, TheRajiv Gandhi International Airport atShamshabad has been judged among the world's top airports in the category of serving 5–15 million passengers, according toAirports Council International,[46] and the world's fifth best airport, according toSkytrax.[47] The airport has one of the longestrunway (4260 metres) in India,[48] and caters to high passenger and cargo volumes. In January 2011, it became India's first airport to transport more than 30,000 tonnes (66,000,000 lb) of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products.[49] It is the primary base forSpiceJet's fleet ofBombardier Dash 8s.[50]GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited, which operates the airport, has been awarded the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation award in the category ofBest Airport Environmental Performance of the Year 2009.[51]
The airport is connected to the city by three major roads.[52] The 11.6-kilometre (7.2 mi) Hyderabad Elevated Expressway provides dedicated high-speed travel to the airport. As of 2011, it is the longest expressway in India.[53] TheNehru Outer Ring Road serves as acontrolled-access expressway betweenGachibowli andShamshabad.[52] Metered taxis and buses are available as transports to the airport.[54]
Hyderabad is connected with direct flights to all major destinations in India, as well as to various locations inMiddle East,Southeast Asia,Europe andNorth America. Currently, Hyderabad has flights connecting either directly or intermediate stops to foreign cities likeFrankfurt,Singapore,Dubai,Bangkok,Kuala Lumpur,Dammam,Chicago (O'Hare),London (Heathrow),Doha,Jeddah,Muscat,Riyadh andKuwait.