Test your driving skills on this stretch!

March 31, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 01:11 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Where the plush locality ends, the misery begins. A drive through Film Nagar will have you appreciating the huge bungalows, movie offices and coffee-shops. But the moment is sure to turn unpleasant once you enter the Shaikpet road leading to the Old Bombay Highway.

Filled with innumerable watery craters, loose gravel and stones that protrude right in the middle of the road, the journey along this stretch is a back-breaking one for many.

“The amount of stress one has to take while manoeuvring this road is immense,” says Tolichowki resident Shaikh Nazir, who regularly commutes on this road.

“In the last three months, the condition of the road has gone from bad to worse. It is not even fit for even bullock-carts. Most times, the road is so slippery that it poses a serious risk to motorists. People are forced to take this route as it is a shortcut for residents of Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills to go to Tolichowki, Mehdipatnam and Manikonda.”

It’s not only their personal safety these motorists are worried about.

“Every other car’s lower surface is sure to be bruised due to the potholes. Sometimes, unsuspecting car drivers enter the road at high speed only to hear their car taking the beating due to uneven surface. On the sideways, huge rocks and thorny bushes make the drive more risky,” says Krishna, a pan shop vendor who has his shop near this stretch.

The local representative admits that this major road has always been neglected. “We have given innumerable representations to the GHMC authorities to immediately repair this road,” said former Jubilee Hills Corporator, Lakshmi Bai.

“The commuters are suffering but the condition of the road remains the same. Two months ago, the road was again dug up for Krishna water supply and this has deteriorated the road condition.”

Disputes with contractor

Three years ago, tender was called to award a contract of Rs. 16 crore for the construction of the one-km road which extends from Film Nagar to old Bombay highway. However, 'the project came to a grinding halt within months after the work started.

“There are disputes with the contractor on certain issues. A committee had been formed to look in it and we have suggested that previous contract be cancelled. The committee will give out its recommendation soon and the process to construct the road will speed up.,” said Dhan Singh, Engineer-in-chief, GHMC.

Shaikpet road leading to OldBombay Highway is not even fit forbullock-carts, say commuters

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.