The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML) Managing Director, N.V.S. Reddy, has been suddenly replaced after a long tenure of 16 years. Reddy, who was absorbed into the state government in 2009 and officially retired in 2016, had been receiving annual extensions to oversee the construction and commissioning of the first phase of the metro. The possible reason for his removal is the disagreement between the state government and L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), which built and operates the first phase, over the integration of the existing infrastructure with the proposed second phase.
The Centre has reportedly made integration a condition for approval of the proposal for a joint venture with the state government to secure sovereign guarantees for international funding. L&TMRH has offered to sell its equity to the Centre or state instead of integrating its existing infrastructure, citing financial and operational challenges. The company has claimed losses of ₹5,000 crore and lack of government support. The state government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, is keen on integrating the services to ensure seamless connectivity.
Reddy, an Indian Railways Accounts Service (IRAS) officer, had a long and distinguished career, having worked with Delhi Metro’s legendary MD E. Sreedharan on the Konkan Railway. He had also served in the power sector and as Additional Commissioner (Traffic & Transportation) in the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH). Reddy played a key role in enacting the Central Metro Railways Act and contributed to the Model Concessionaire Agreement, which formed the basis for L&TMRH’s involvement.
Under Reddy’s leadership, the first phase of the metro was completed, covering 69.2 km across three corridors. However, the 10-year rule of the previous government was a testing period, and Reddy faced challenges over alignment changes demanded by the new administration. Despite these challenges, he completed the 71.2 km first phase, balancing public interest with private sector efficiency. The removal of Reddy marks the end of an era, and it remains to be seen how the new leadership will navigate the complexities of the metro project, particularly the integration of the existing infrastructure with the proposed second phase.