TelanganaSCR plans to develop Malkajgiri railway station as major terminal with new lines and revamped platforms
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The revamped Malkajgiri railway station, developed at a cost of ₹27.61 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, features a new entrance facade on the Platform-3 side facing Mallikarjunanagar, an upgraded booking office, improved flooring and passenger lounges, in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The revamped Malkajgiri railway station is likely to be thrown open soon, with passengers expecting better amenities and more train halts. Redeveloped at a cost of ₹27.61 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), the station now features a new entrance facade on the Platform-3 side facing Mallikarjunanagar, an upgraded booking office, improved flooring, passenger lounges, and more.
Flooring work on the island platforms serving Platforms 1 and 2 is still in progress, but it has been completed on Platform 3, while the newly installed lifts and escalators on all three platforms are yet to be commissioned. The makeover, however, is only one part of a much larger plan.
A goods train passes through the Malkajgiri railway station in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
Meanwhile, located barely three kilometres from Secunderabad Railway Station, Malkajgiri is being earmarked for development as a major terminal hub. South Central Railway (SCR) proposes to add three new railway lines and expand platform infrastructure using available railway land, significantly enhancing the station’s capacity to handle trains.
Two additional lines will be laid from the Lallaguda side adjacent to Platform 3. To accommodate them, the width of the existing platform will be reduced. Another line is planned alongside Platform 1, along with a new platform. Once completed, Malkajgiri will have four platforms and six lines, including two loop lines.
“The idea is to develop Malkajgiri into a major destination point and ease congestion at Kacheguda station,” said SCR Chief Public Relations Officer A. Sridhar. The track expansion project is estimated to cost around 42 crore.
Passengers wait for their train on Platform no. 3 at Malkajgiri railway station in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
Due to space constraints at Kacheguda, several terminating express trains are currently being stabled at Medchal, nearly 30 minutes away. Local commuters say the upgraded station should also receive more train halts. “Express trains such as Venkatadri and Tungabhadra pass through Malkajgiri without stopping, forcing passengers to travel to Kacheguda by road,” said Bharat, a passenger.
Mr. Sridhar was categorical that none of the structures built under the station redevelopment programme would be affected by the upcoming expansion works. “Since it will take about a year-and-a-half for the new lines work to be complete, we had to lay tiles towards a corner of the platform for the benefit of the disabled, as it is a statutory requirement. These will be affected during the construction,” he said.
Some railway officials, however, feel better coordination between departments could have prevented such expenditure and minimised duplication of effort. “Major infrastructure projects should be planned with a 20-25 year vision rather than on a piecemeal basis,” a senior railway official observed.
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