Veteran IRAS officer to continue guiding Telangana’s urban mobility strategy
In a landmark administrative shift, the Telangana government has relieved NVS Reddy (Retd. IRAS:1983) of his duties as Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL), bringing to a close an extraordinary 18-year tenure. Sarfaraz Ahmad (IAS:2009:TG), currently serving as Commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), has been entrusted with full additional charge as the new in-charge MD of HMRL.
Though stepping aside from his long-held role, Reddy’s expertise will remain integral to the state’s urban transport framework. He has been appointed as Advisor to the Telangana Government on Urban Transport for the next two years.
NVS Reddy: The Face of Hyderabad Metro
Since the metro project’s inception in 2007, NVS Reddy has been synonymous with Hyderabad’s ambitious urban mobility journey. Under his stewardship, the city saw the creation of a 69-km state-of-the-art metro network, executed at a cost of ₹22,000 crore — one of the largest public-private partnership (PPP) metro projects globally.
A retired officer of the Indian Railway Accounts Service, Reddy earned wide acclaim for steering the project through layers of bureaucratic, financial, and political hurdles. Known for his vision and persistence, he became both the architect and the public face of Hyderabad’s metro transformation.
Why the Transition?
While no official explanation has been provided, sources suggest the decision comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the state government and L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, the concessionaire for Phase I.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was reportedly displeased after L&T formally communicated its intent to exit the project by offloading its equity stake. This development has triggered uncertainty about the metro’s financial sustainability and the path ahead for Phase II expansion.
Sarfaraz Ahmad Steps In
The baton now passes to Sarfaraz Ahmad, a 2009-batch IAS officer known for his administrative acumen. As the HMDA Commissioner, he has played a pivotal role in city planning and infrastructure. His appointment as in-charge MD of HMRL comes at a critical moment, as the government readies for Phase II expansion while also navigating the delicate process of restructuring the PPP model.
Broader Administrative Reshuffle
The orders, issued by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao (IAS:1991:TG), were part of a wider round of postings across departments. More structural and policy-level changes in Hyderabad’s urban transport ecosystem are anticipated in the months ahead.
