Hyderabad: In a significant reshuffle, the Telangana government on Tuesday relieved NVS Reddy (Retd. IRAS:1983) from his post as Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) after an unprecedented 18-year tenure. Sarfaraz Ahmad (IAS:2009:TG), the current Commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), has been appointed as the in-charge MD of HMRL, with full additional charge.
Despite stepping down as MD, Reddy’s expertise will not be lost to the system – he has been appointed as Advisor to the Telangana Government on Urban Transport for a period of two years.
NVS Reddy: The Architect Behind Hyderabad Metro
NVS Reddy has been synonymous with the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project since its inception in 2007. Under his leadership, the city witnessed the development of a 69-km modern metro rail network, constructed at a cost of ₹22,000 crore – making it one of the largest public-private partnership (PPP) metro projects in the world.
A retired officer of the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), Reddy has been widely credited with navigating bureaucratic, political, and financial challenges in the project’s execution. He earned a reputation as a visionary urban transport planner and was often seen as the public face of the metro project.
Why the Change Now?
While the government has not issued an official statement on the reasons behind his exit, sources indicate growing tensions between the state administration and L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, the concessionaire for Phase I of the project.
Reportedly, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was unhappy with recent developments, including L&T’s formal communication of its intent to exit the project by transferring its equity stake. These developments have raised concerns over the future of the metro’s expansion and financial stability.
Sarfaraz Ahmad Takes Over as In-Charge MD
Sarfaraz Ahmad, a 2009 batch IAS officer and current HMDA Commissioner, has been given full additional charge as MD of HMRL. His appointment comes at a crucial juncture, as the government is actively planning Phase II expansions and navigating the complex issues around PPP restructuring.
Government Orders and Other Postings
The orders were issued by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao (IAS:1991:TG), as part of a broader set of administrative postings. It is expected that further structural and strategic changes in HMRL and urban transport governance may follow in the coming months.
