Hyderabad Metro to Introduce Six- and Four-Coach Trains to Reduce Overcrowding

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) is planning to introduce four-coach and six-coach trains on its busiest routes. Officials told The Times of India that the decision comes after years of requests from commuters struggling with the city’s growing passenger load.

At present, Hyderabad Metro operates 56 trains, each with only three coaches, across its three corridors. With daily ridership steadily increasing, commuters have long urged authorities to expand capacity, citing examples from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, where metros run with four, six, and even eight coaches.

According to Sarfaraz Ahmad, Managing Director (MD) of HMRL, the new plan involves procuring 40 to 60 additional coaches based on a detailed study of footfall, route demand, and operational feasibility.

“The new coaches will not be attached to existing trains. We’re evaluating optimal configurations—whether to run four-coach, six-coach, or mixed fleets depending on route requirements,” said Ahmad.

The new coaches will be sourced from one of the country’s three metro manufacturing units — Alstom, BEML Limited, or Titlagarh Rail Systems.

Once implemented, the expansion will reduce waiting times and increase service frequency, with the MD noting that the interval between trains could drop to just two minutes during peak hours.

However, officials cautioned that the rollout will take time. “The discussions are still at a preliminary stage. After the order is placed, it may take up to two years for the new coaches to arrive in Hyderabad,” an HMRL official said. The move will gather pace once Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which currently holds nearly 90% ownership, completes its exit from the project, allowing the Telangana government to take full control within the next year.

Commuters Welcome the Move

Regular Metro users have hailed the decision as a much-needed relief.

“Every evening, trains are jam-packed, and finding a seat is impossible. Adding more coaches will definitely reduce the rush,” said Satya Prakash, an IT employee commuting from Nagole to Begumpet.

Others urged authorities to use the expansion as an opportunity to improve women’s safety.

“Currently, only one coach is reserved for women. With more coaches coming in, I hope at least two compartments will be dedicated to women. It’ll encourage more female commuters to use the Metro,” said Siri Varshini, a school counsellor from Hitec City.

The development marks a crucial step in Hyderabad Metro’s evolution, signaling a new phase of growth and modernization aimed at making urban travel faster, safer, and more comfortable for lakhs of daily passengers.