Podcars Planned for Hyderabad’s Congested Corridors
The state government is planning a 34-km Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system to improve public transport in Hyderabad’s congested areas.
Hyderabad: The state government is planning a 34‑km Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system to improve public transport in Hyderabad’s congested areas.
Under the project, automated, driverless electric podcars carrying six passengers each will operate on elevated corridors, providing last‑mile connectivity where Metro Rail ends.
The podcar tracks, 4.5 metres wide, will start at Metro station concourse levels.
One corridor is planned from Raidurg Metro Station into Knowledge City, HITEC City.
Officials said the system will complement, not compete with, the Metro.
Ridership is projected at 20 lakh by 2050.
Construction costs are estimated at ₹80–100 crore per kilometre, with the total project cost around ₹3,400 crore.
The number of podcars to be deployed is yet to be finalised.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy recently gave preliminary approval to three corridors: Raidurg–Kukatpally, HITEC City–Raidurg (Knowledge City Building), and Kondapur–Financial District.
The Assembly–Lakdikapool–Secretariat–Tank Bund corridor was not approved, with officials asked to explore connectivity to Ranigunj.
Feasibility studies in Amritsar (Golden Temple corridor) and Haridwar are being examined.
In Hyderabad, Lee Associates has been entrusted with the study.
Passengers will select destinations, and podcars will ferry them directly, with limited stops, unlike Metro Rail’s multiple halts.
“This will be a transport system connecting metro stations to offices, residential and commercial areas, but it will not be an alternative to Metro Rail or public transport,” an official said.
