Terminal stations in Telangana lie in limbo

Hyderabad: While the number of trains coming into Hyderabad has increased, it has been ages since Hyderabad got a new terminal station. Only three terminal stations, namely Nampally, Kacheguda and Secunderabad, which were set up in the era of the Nizams, continue to cater to the needs of the 21st century commuters. The proposal for a terminal station each at Cherlapally and Vattinagulapally lies in limbo.

Hundreds of trains linking various parts of the country operate through these three existing terminal stations keeping them extremely busy every day. Consequently, some of the trains are parked in various other stations which are not designated terminal stations. In order to decongest the existing stations, the South Central 

Railway (SCR) collaborated with TS government to develop Cherlapally terminal. However, the proposal for the Cherlapally terminal in the eastern part of the city has been on the cards for years.

The development of the satellite terminal was sanctioned in the year 2016-17 with an estimated cost of Rs 81 crore. According to the latest update from railways, the Telangana government is yet to acquire 150 acres of  land at Cherlapally and hand it over to railways free of cost. Meanwhile, a detailed estimate is under preparation to develop it within the available railway land to the extent of 50 acres. A detailed project for overall development of the station at an estimated cost of Rs 235 crores was reportedly sent to the railway board. Once approved, the ground breaking ceremony will take place for this terminal.

On the other hand, Nagulapally terminal, which is supposed to spread across 300 acres  has not moved an inch forward. The Nagulapally terminal is still under study for feasibility. As an interim solution, to decongest the existing three stations, Lingampally station which has 6 platforms, is being used to park trains for a very long time.