The inordinate delay in developing slip roads abutting the decades-old Moula Ali Kaman is leaving road users fuming and fretting on this stretch.
Despite re-opening the arch after restoration a few weeks ago, traffic policemen are allowing only two and four wheelers. Iron girders have been placed on either sides of the heritage structure to restrict the entry of heavy vehicles, including APSRTC buses.
Owing to this, bus commuters are forced to travel an additional four kilometres to reach Tarnaka via Housing Board Colony, Zonal Training Centre (ZTC) and Lalapet flyover instead of directly reaching the ‘kaman.’
Residents request the police to permit buses and ambulances from the arch since the diversion of heavy vehicles into residential colonies was also causing problems of pollution. “We request officials to take necessary steps to restore traffic from the arch,” appealed Nani of RTC Colony in Moula Ali.
GHMC officials maintain they were considering slip roads adjacent to the arch to allow heavy vehicles. “We are unable to take up the work due to constraints in acquiring land but it is under serious consideration,” says GHMC Deputy Commissioner P. Viswanath.
Pressure from a local politician who owns a building adjacent to the arch was said to be hindering the proposal on widening of the road.
A religious structure near the arch is also a factor in the delay.
“It’s a sensitive issue and we have to tackle it carefully,” says another official.
Malkajgiri Traffic Inspector K. Ramesh says heavy vehicles would be allowed only after completion of the slip roads.
‘Unsafe’ arch
After declaring the arch ‘unsafe’, officials of GHMC, Road and Buildings and Archaeology Departments convened a series of meetings with different groups two years ago and decided to lay a two-lane slip road on both sides of the arch for the convenience of motorists. Accordingly, at a cost of Rs.5 lakh, the R&B Department completed the restoration works that included girders to allow only two and four wheelers.
