After enjoying the status of National Highway for decades, some of the major stretches of the Greater Hyderabad have now been relegated to a no-man’s land. A few weeks ago, the Central government, through a gazette, de-notified two major National Highways — NH 44 and NH 65 — passing through the heart of the city. The gazette notification comes in the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court order which bans eateries serving liquor and wine shops from operating within 500 metres of a national highway.
Though the Central government’s move brought cheers to scores of clubs, bars, restaurants and wine shops located close to the main roads, previously categorised as National Highways, confusion prevails on the status and maintenance of these roads. The 52-km stretch includes two major roads — Aramgarh to Bowenpally and Miyapur to LB Nagar. Traffic density and commercial activity on these stretches are very high when compared to other parts of the city.
“We have not got any instructions from the government to maintain these roads,” said a senior GHMC official who did not wish to be quoted. “On our part, we have not requested the government to hand over these stretches. The expenditure for maintaining the existing roads is huge and if these stretches are entrusted to the GHMC, then it will be burdensome. More manpower will be needed if the task is given to us.”
The National Highways (NH) wing of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department used to maintain both highways.
“Officially, these roads are not with us after the Gazette notification was issued in May first week. The State government has to take a decision on what to do with these stretches as they belong to it. Since the the roads have been laid recently, immediate attention is not required,” said an R&B official.
According to sources in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), the two de-notified stretches are likely to be handed over to the Telangana State Road Development Corporation.
