Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday expressed confidence that the ongoing reconstruction of Secunderabad Railway Station will be completed by the end of 2026 and said that he hopes to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate it.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the progress of the works, Reddy said the station is being completely rebuilt to meet international standards.

He said the project, being carried out at a cost of Rs 715 crore, aims to ensure modern facilities for passengers without disrupting current operations. At present, 1.97 lakh passengers use the station daily, with around 22,000 commuters every hour.

He said the South Block of the station would be completed in the next four months, while the multi-level parking facility is targeted for completion by December 25. Facilities such as a large waiting hall and canteen over three acres to accommodate 3,000 passengers, 26 lifts, 32 escalators, two substations, an advanced surveillance system, direct Metro and bus connectivity, and a five lakh litre-per-day sewage treatment plant are being put in place.

Reddy noted that once completed, the station will be able to handle up to 2.7 lakh passengers daily without congestion. The work is spread over 1.65 lakh square metres.

The minister highlighted the significant rise in railway allocations to Telangana under the Modi government.

He said the annual railway budget allocation for Telangana has increased from Rs 258 crore in 2014–15 to Rs 5,337 crore in 2025–26. During the past 11 years, Rs 30,832 crore has been allotted to railway development works in the state.

He pointed out that several new railway lines, doubling, tripling and electrification works—such as Secunderabad–Mahabubnagar doubling, Raghavpuram–Mandamarri tripling. Nearly 100 per cent electrification of rail lines in Telangana (excluding new lines under construction) has also been achieved, he said.

Kishan Reddy said that modernisation of 40 railway stations is underway across the state, and requested the state government to expedite road widening near Secunderabad railway station and complete the connectivity works for Cherlapalli railway station.

He said railway projects worth Rs 42,219 crore are currently under execution in Telangana, including a mega freight depot near Mahabubabad, Vande Bharat maintenance facilities and the Kazipet rail manufacturing unit, which he expects to be inaugurated by April.

He said the Centre is committed to completing ongoing railway projects in Telangana in the next three years.