Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System

The Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System, commonly abbreviated as MMTS, is a suburban rail system in Hyderabad, India. A joint venture of the Government of Telangana (formerly Government of Andhra Pradesh) and the South Central Railway, it is operated by the latter. The 90 km system operates to cater the city of Hyderabad and the neighbouring suburban areas connecting Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Falaknuma, Lingampally, Medchal and Umdanagar with a total of 133 MMTS services. Currently 86 MMTS services are being operated due to the effect of COVID-19.

History
The Hyderabad MMTS project has been conceived as a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh (retrospectively referred to as Government of United Andhra Pradesh) with a MoU signed in September 2000. The first phase was opened to the public on 9 August 2003 by then Deputy Prime Minister of India L.K. Advani at Bhoiguda. The planning and commencement of the work was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu. The system initially consisted of three lines, with total length of 44 kilometres (27 mi). In May 2010, Indian Railways decided to take over the 104 kilometre (65 mi) as part of the Phase II at an estimated cost of ₹ 641 crore. The Railway Board cleared the approval of the second phase after the state government agreed to fund two-thirds of the project cost.

Although the Phase-II was scheduled to operate by 2018, it was delayed due to various reasons and was finally opened on 8 April 2023 after 20 years from the Phase-I by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Secunderabad Junction after the operation of a smaller stream in 2019.

Phase-I
The first phase was completed at a cost of ₹1.62 billion (US$22 million), and it was inaugurated on 9 August 2003 by Deputy Prime Minister of India L. K. Advani. The project complements the city's rapid growth in information technology, biotechnology, health, aviation and tourism. This phase was completed in two streams, the first stream of MMTS between Hyderabad, Lingampalli and Secunderabad with a distance of 29 km covering 17 stations. The second steam of MMTS between Secunderabad and Falaknuma, covering a distance of 15 km with 11 stations was completed the next year, totalling the number of stations to 27 with Secunderabad being the biggest interchange of the 44 km network. The network also consists of the coverage of other areas such as Bolarum towards Manoharabad and Umdanagar which was not completely integrated into the MMTS network. Although many other routes and stations were available, the process of electrification of these other routes were included in the Phase-II.



Phase-II
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has planned for the development and expansion of the MMTS to all Hyderabad rail routes in its Master Plan 2041. In May 2010, Indian Railways decided to adopt the MMTS 104 km Phase II project at an estimated cost of ₹ 641 crore. The Railway Board approved the second phase after the state government agreed to fund two-thirds of its cost. It was expected to be completed by 2018, and will handle 300,000 passengers a day as per the estimates back then. A 6 km stretch from Lingampally to R. C. Puram and a 12.5 km stretch from Bolaram to Medchal was scheduled to begin in March 2018, and the 12 km Moula Ali–Ghatkesar stretch was scheduled to open in July 2018 but it was delayed due to several reasons. Regardless of the delay trial runs started on few sections of phase 2 in August 2020. Quadrupling 4 lines with electrification and installation of Automatic block signaling in the existing double line between Ghatkesar and Moula Ali, doubling and electrification between Falaknuma and Umdanagar in the southern part of city; Doubling and electrification between Moula Ali and Sitafalmandi, connecting Malkajgiri and doubling with electrification between Moula Ali and Sanathnagar along with construction of 5 new stations in the section for providing east-west connectivity bypassing Secunderabad station.

The Phase II was stalled for over a decade owing to lack of funds. The Union Government allocated ₹ 600 crore as part of the Union budget (2023-24) towards it for resumption of phase II works. Over time, the sanctioned cost has been escalated to ₹ 1,150 crores.

On 9 June 2019 as part of the Phase II project the first stream between Tellapur and R. C. Puram with a distance of 6-kilometre was started and opened for the public.

On 8 April 2023 13 MMTS services along with 2 other routes under the MMTS Phase II between Secunderabad Bolarum Medchal with a distance of 28-kilometre along with the extension from Falaknuma to Umdanagar with a distance of 12-kilometre was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi totalling to 90-kilometre and 44 stations under the MMTS project.

Stations under construction
Source
 * Moula Ali HB Colony
 * Neredmet
 * Bhudevi Nagar (Alwal)
 * Suchitra Center
 * Ferozguda

MMTS lines

 * HF Line
 * HL Line
 * FL Line
 * SF Line
 * SB Line

Future
Following are the proposed and possible expansion to integrate the routes and lines into the MMTS network.

Milestones

 * 1) On International Women's Day 2012, S. Satyavati was South Central Railway's first female driver, when she drove the MMTS Matrubhumi Ladies Special Train from Falaknuma to Lingampally.
 * 2) HYLITES (Hyderabad Live Train Enquiry System), a mobile app for MMTS station and train inquiries, was introduced.
 * 3) UTS stands for Unreserved Ticketing System. It is an app launched by Indian Railways' subsidiary body CRIS in 2014 to generate or cancel unreserved train tickets, book seasonal tickets, renew passes, and purchase platform tickets. The initiative saves passengers from getting into long queues to take Printed Card Tickets (PCTs) for local train travel or platform visits