Hyderabad’s fast-growing suburban rail network is set for a lift as three stations—Hafizpet, Huppuguda and HiTech City—approach completion of major upgrades. The South Central Railway (SCR) says works are in the final stretch, with public access expected in the next three months and all three targeted to be ready by year-end. The combined investment of ₹81.97 crore focuses on commuter comfort, accessibility and safety, reflecting a broader push to modernize rail infrastructure across Telangana.

What’s changing at each station

  • Hafizpet (₹29.21 crore)
  • Location: Lingampally–Falaknuma route
  • Daily usage: about 9,000 passengers
  • Services: roughly 60 MMTS trains and eight express halts

  • Upgrades: new waiting halls, digital signboards, 12-foot-wide foot overbridge with two lifts and escalators, expanded circulating space, additional platform shelters, disabled-friendly restrooms, and a refreshed station facade.

  • Huppuguda (₹26.81 crore)

  • Location: Falaknuma–Kacheguda section
  • Daily usage: about 5,000 passengers
  • Services: around 50 trains, including suburban services

  • Upgrades: new second entry point to ease access, enhanced passenger amenities, expanded circulation, foot overbridge with lifts and escalators, upgraded shelters and restrooms, and improved wayfinding.

  • HiTech City (₹25.95 crore)

  • Location: Falaknuma–Lingampally line
  • Daily usage: about 4,000 passengers with 62 trips per day
  • Services: proposal under consideration to add stops for both short- and long-distance trains
  • Upgrades: new booking office, redesigned facade, modernized passenger areas including signage, shelters and accessibility features.

Across all three stations, common elements of the redevelopment include: - Wider foot overbridges equipped with lifts and escalators to improve accessibility and passenger flow - Expanded circulating areas to reduce congestion during peak hours - Modern passenger amenities such as waiting halls, digital information systems and upgraded platform shelters - Dedicated disabled-friendly restrooms and improved safety features - Facade redesigns to standardize and enhance the station environment

Part of a wider revamp in Telangana

These stations are among 40 in Telangana selected under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which has a combined outlay of ₹2,752 crore in the state. Foundation stones for multiple projects were laid between August 2023 and February 2024. Some stations—Begumpet, Warangal and Karimnagar—have already been inaugurated. Major hubs including Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda and Lingampally are also undergoing redevelopment under the same program.

The scheme’s focus on mid-sized and suburban stations aims to distribute modernization benefits beyond principal junctions, improving day-to-day experience for local commuters while preparing the network for continued urban growth.

Commuter impact and urban mobility

The upgrades aim to deliver practical, immediate improvements for daily riders: - Faster movement and shorter dwell times through wider foot overbridges and escalators - Better accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities via lifts and barrier-free design - Improved safety through clearer circulation, lighting and signage - More comfort via expanded waiting areas and platform shelters - Smoother entry and exit with new or enlarged circulating zones and a second entry at Huppuguda

Hafizpet and HiTech City serve employment-dense catchments along the city’s western corridor, while Huppuguda supports residential neighborhoods linking to key city nodes. Enhancements to these stations are expected to ease bottlenecks, particularly during peak commuting hours, and complement the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) services that many riders rely on for crosstown travel.

Timelines and operations

  • Construction status: nearing completion
  • Expected readiness: within three months, with commissioning targeted by year-end
  • Service adjustments: SCR has proposed adding both short- and long-distance train halts at HiTech City; such changes will depend on operational approvals

As physical works conclude, station commissioning will likely be phased to ensure systems like lifts, escalators and digital signboards are fully tested before opening to the public.

Why it matters

  • Wider coverage of upgrades: Investment is reaching suburban stations that see significant everyday use, not just major junctions.
  • Accessibility and inclusion: Lifts, escalators and accessible restrooms enhance usability for commuters with mobility needs.
  • Decongestion benefits: Larger circulating areas and improved passenger flow can reduce platform crowding and improve safety.
  • Economic linkages: Better-equipped stations in the western tech corridor and southern residential belts support commuting efficiency and local commerce.
  • Strategic alignment: The projects advance Telangana’s share of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, signaling sustained federal-state focus on rail modernization.

What’s next

  • Final completion and commissioning by year-end, subject to testing and safety clearances
  • Potential timetable updates if proposed halts at HiTech City receive approval
  • Continued progress on other Telangana stations under the scheme, including major nodes at Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda and Lingampally

As the three stations open with their upgraded features, SCR and commuters will gain a clearer view of how design changes translate into day-to-day performance—particularly in peak-hour crowd management, accessibility and service reliability. If the proposed halts at HiTech City move forward, the station could transition from a primarily suburban node to a more versatile stop with broader regional connectivity, further strengthening Hyderabad’s suburban rail ecosystem.