The Hyderabad Metro Rail network uses state-of-the-art track infrastructure designed for durability, ride comfort, and minimal maintenance.
Main Line Track
- The main line is equipped with UIC 60 rails (Grade 1080, head-hardened) to ensure high strength and longer service life.
- Rails are continuously welded using Flash Butt Welding and Alumino Thermic Welding to provide a smooth, joint-free track.
- The track is laid as plinth-type ballastless track, with M-35 grade concrete plinths and ballastless rail fastenings spaced at 650 mm center-to-center on viaducts and ramps.
- A 1 in 20 rail inclination is maintained for better stability and reduced wear.
- Restraining rails (33 C1, Grade 880) are installed on all curves with radii less than 190 m to enhance safety and guidance.
Depot Track
- Depots use UIC 60 rails (Grade 880) laid on standard gauge monoblock PSC sleepers with a density of 1,540 sleepers per kilometer.
- Tracks are supported by 65 mm stone ballast with a minimum cushion of 250 mm (300 mm on the test track).
- Sections of depot track are also laid as embedded track or plinth track with ballastless fastenings for special operational requirements.
Turnouts and Crossings
- All turnouts are designed with 1 in 20 rail inclination.
- The main line uses 1 in 9 switches with radii of 300 m and 190 m, while depots use 1 in 7 switches with a 190 m radius, all built to the Zu 60 thick web profile.
- Weldable CMS crossings, treated by explosive depth hardening to achieve a minimum hardness of 340 HBW, are used for enhanced durability.
Safety Features
- Friction-type buffer stops are installed at the end of all tracks — including main lines, washing lines, stabling lines, workshop lines, and inspection bays — to provide an additional safety margin.
General Criteria for Tracks
| SN. | CRITERIA | DIMENSION |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gauge | 1435 mm |
| 2. | Design speed Max. operating speed |
90 Kmph 80 Kmph |
| 3. | Max. axle load, loaded condition | 17 tonne |
| 4. | Maximum Gradient Normal / desirable Limit Exceptional Limit |
2.5% 4% |
| 5. | Sharpest vertical curve radius Sharpest horizontal curve radius |
1500m 120 m (main line track) 90 m (depot track |
| 6. | Traction power collection | Overhead Catenary system (OCS) at 25kV(AC) Rails shall be used for traction return current. |
| 7. | Inclination of Rail | 1 in 40 |
| 8. | Wheel tread profile | UIC 510-2 (S1002); to be interfaced with Rolling Stock Contractor. |
| 9. | Rail profile | UIC 60 (861-3) |