Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has initiated plans to upgrade 10 metro stations as a pilot project to improve passenger services, after the Additional Managing Director B Ajith Reddy directed officials to prepare station specific development plans. Ajith travelled by metro from Begumpet to Raidurg to inspect platforms, concourses and street-level facilities at Begumpet, Ameerpet and Raidurg. He indicated that similar inspections would be carried out at other stations in phases.

During the inspections he instructed officials to utilise street-level parking more efficiently and proposed targeted improvements based on observed shortfalls in parking facilities. He expressed dissatisfaction with the maintenance of the central median between metro pillars and directed teams to enhance upkeep, emphasising that cleanliness and quality of work must not be compromised. The directives included a focus on routine maintenance, faster rectification of defects and clearer assignment of responsibilities to station managers.

At Raidurg station the review encompassed the skywalk, pedestrian connectivity to nearby information technology companies and passenger movement at the Mindspace junction, and he asked officials to streamline arrangements during peak hours. The pilot upgrade is intended to address both commuter convenience and last mile connectivity through measures such as improved signage, better pedestrian routes and optimised parking layouts. HMRL will develop detailed, station specific proposals that balance operational needs with urban interface considerations.

Officials were instructed to monitor the pilot closely and report progress periodically so that successful measures can be scaled across the network. The phased approach is aimed at testing interventions at a manageable number of locations before wider roll out. The authority said implementation will be synchronised with routine maintenance cycles to minimise disruption to services.