Despite growing buzz around a potential fare hike, officials from Hyderabad Metro have clarified that no official decision has been made. The metro network, which sees over five lakh daily commuters, remains a vital part of the city’s public transport system. However, rising operational costs and a reported cumulative loss exceeding ₹6,500 crore have brought L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd (L&TMRHL) under financial pressure. While the company has consistently pushed for a revision in ticket prices to ensure sustainability, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) and the Telangana government have not initiated any formal discussions yet.

As of now, metro fares in the city range from ₹10 for up to 2 kilometers to ₹60 for distances beyond 26 kilometers. In 2022, L&TMRHL had proposed a fare revision due to heavy losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, a Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) was established by the central government, which included officials from both state and central ministries, as well as a retired judge. The committee submitted recommendations after studying economic factors and passenger feedback, but the then state government chose not to act on the proposal. More recently, tensions flared in 2024 when L&T blamed the state’s free women’s bus travel scheme (Mahalakshmi) for affecting metro ridership, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

Meanwhile, L&T is reportedly taking cues from other cities like Bengaluru, which saw a 44% fare hike, to make a stronger case for revision. However, any increase in Hyderabad’s metro fares could have a major impact on the commuting patterns of thousands who rely on the service daily. The Telangana government continues to tread cautiously, weighing financial realities against the need to keep public transport affordable for its citizens.