Sat Sep 27 15:41:36 UTC 2025: ## Summary of Text:

The text includes snippets of various newsletters and articles from The Hindu, published on September 27, 2025. It covers diverse topics such as world affairs from an Indian perspective, cinema and streaming news, tech updates, science explained simply, data analysis of headlines, health advice, and book reviews. Separately, it details a surprise Metro ride taken by IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu in Hyderabad, where he interacted with commuters to gather feedback on the city’s public transport system, including the Metro rail. The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to improving public transportation and announced the state’s agreement to take over Phase-I of the Hyderabad Metro Rail from Larsen & Toubro in a ₹15,000 crore deal. L&T’s exit from the project is expected to be finalized by the end of fiscal year 2026.

## News Article:

**Hyderabad Metro Set for State Control as Minister Takes Commuter Pulse**

**Hyderabad, India – September 27, 2025** – The Telangana state government is poised to take control of Phase-I of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) from Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in a landmark ₹15,000 crore deal, marking a significant shift for the city’s public transportation landscape. The announcement follows a surprise Metro ride by IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, who used the opportunity to engage directly with commuters.

Minister Sridhar Babu, a prominent figure in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s cabinet, boarded the Metro on Saturday, travelling from Nagole to Raidurg – a key IT hub in western Hyderabad. Posing as a regular passenger, he purchased a ticket and initiated conversations with fellow riders, seeking feedback on Metro services, station safety, and the overall public transport experience.

“The State government is fully committed to providing faster, safer, and more efficient transport facilities to the public,” Minister Sridhar Babu stated, emphasizing the government’s initiatives for strengthening urban public transport. He highlighted Metro Phase-2 expansion, the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project, and other future mobility plans.

The Minister’s Metro ride coincided with the finalization of the in-principle agreement for the state government to acquire the Hyderabad Metro SPV from L&T. The deal, expected to close by the end of FY26, involves the government refinancing the current debt and acquiring L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) equity at agreed values. L&T, which developed and operated Phase 1 of the Hyderabad Metro Rail across nearly 70 km, confirmed the divestment in a filing to the stock exchanges.

This move signals a renewed focus on public transportation in Hyderabad and demonstrates the government’s willingness to listen to the needs of its citizens. By engaging directly with commuters, Minister Sridhar Babu aimed to gather valuable insights to inform future transport policies and ensure a smoother, more efficient commute for all. He urged the public to actively participate in building a progressive Telangana, emphasizing the importance of both praise and constructive criticism.

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