Hyderabad's Fourth City To Take Shape: Foxconn Eyes Investment, HMRL Plans Metro Connectivity

Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has shown interest in exploring investment opportunities in Hyderabad, the Telangana government announced on Friday (16 August).

Foxconn chairman Young Liu met with Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in New Delhi to discuss potential collaborations. The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Foxconn to invest in a proposed "fourth city", which is being planned on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Chief Minister Reddy assured Liu of full government support, including the provision of necessary permits and incentives to facilitate Foxconn’s entry into the state.

During the meeting, Liu expressed enthusiasm about the investment opportunities in Hyderabad. He noted the city’s potential for growth in both industrial and service sectors. Liu also announced that a team led by Foxconn's chief campus operations officer Kathy Yang, along with India representative V Lee, would conduct an initial site visit. He confirmed that he would follow up with a personal visit later.

Foxconn, a major supplier to Apple, has been steadily expanding its presence in India as global tech companies seek to diversify production away from China.

Plans for this new city are ambitious, with a focus on multifaceted growth in areas like education, medicine, sports, electronics, and electrical industries.

Additionally, a Young India Skill Development University is set to be a key feature of the development. Notable industrialists, including Anand Mahindra and Srinivasa Raju, have been appointed as chairman and vice chairman of the university, respectively.

Metro Rail Integration And Future Connectivity

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) and Hyderabad Airport Metro Rail Managing Director N V S Reddy revealed that the Telangana government's special purpose vehicle overseeing the construction of metro rail for the capital region will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the fourth city’s metro connectivity.

N V S Reddy stated that Chief Minister Reddy has instructed that metro rail connectivity should be simultaneously planned for the new city. The Chief Minister has even announced a special prize for naming the proposed city near Shamshabad.

In addition, DPRs for phase two of Hyderabad's metro rail expansion will soon be submitted to the state government for review before being forwarded to the central government.

The aim is to form a joint venture for further development, connecting key areas such as the international airport, the old city, and other suburbs. "We are going to play a vital role in making the plans of the Chief Minister to make Hyderabad a global city into a reality," said N V S Reddy, reports The Hindu.