Kishan Reddy Appeals for Land and Infrastructure Support for Cherlapally Terminal Expansion

Hyderabad: Facing mounting pressure on the city's railway infrastructure, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has appealed to the state government to allocate land and upgrade connectivity for the Cherlapally terminal expansion project.

In correspondence with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the minister highlighted the strain on Hyderabad's primary railway hubs. Kachiguda Railway Station, Secunderabad Railway Station, and Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station are operating at full capacity, he noted, underscoring the urgency of developing Cherlapally as a contemporary passenger facility.

The terminal, constructed at an outlay of Rs 430 crore, was formally opened on January 6, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since its inauguration, both passenger volumes and train operations at the station have shown steady growth.

Infrastructure Gaps Hindering Operations

Despite the facility's modern design, inadequate road access has emerged as a significant obstacle to its full utilization. The minister outlined a comprehensive package of infrastructure improvements to address these constraints.

His proposals include expanding the FCI Godown Road approach to 200 feet and enhancing the Bharat Nagar-facing road from its current 30-foot width to 100 feet. Additionally, he called for developing the EC Nagar–MMTS link road to 100 metres across a 700-metre stretch.

To accommodate the growing passenger base, Reddy requested allocation of 3 acres adjacent to the station building and 2.7 acres near the MMTS platform for parking and ancillary facilities.

Outstanding Issues and Broader Context

A persistent challenge involves water supply to the terminal. Despite the Railways having deposited Rs 4 crore towards this connection, it remains unresolved. The minister also referenced the ongoing Rs 715-crore redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station, which aims to introduce world-class amenities and modern infrastructure for commuters.

To facilitate better passenger movement in that area, he has also advocated for widening the thoroughfare extending from Alpha Hotel to Rathifile Bus Stand to 120 feet.

Since 2022, multiple representations have been submitted and joint assessments conducted by railway and municipal authorities, yet the necessary work remains incomplete. Reddy has therefore urged the Chief Minister to intervene directly and accelerate the approval and implementation of these essential improvements for the Cherlapally project.