KCR for fast-track solution to Hyderabad’s traffic woes

Visualises Bangkok-type super highways for the twin cities

Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao has proposed to change the face of Hyderabad in the next two years with an integrated road network linking the existing roads and constructing skyways with multiple layers of flyovers all over the city.

Sharing his vision with the consulting engineers and planners of LEA Associates, South Asia, here on Saturday, Mr.Chandrasekhar Rao said that the government would spend Rs.25,000 crore to Rs.30,000 crore phase-wise.

A three-pronged approach – improvement of roads which are critical and typical to old city, new city development (GHMC area) and finally the HMDA area development – would be adopted, he said. The super highways could be modelled on the lines of those in Bangkok, he said.

Traffic congestion-free

The objective of the entire exercise is to ensure that all the roads leading to different districts from Hyderabad should be made traffic congestion-free, he said, citing instances of huge traffic jams from Uppal to the city while coming from Warangal, LB Nagar while coming from Vijayawada and then the Panjagutta-Ameerpet road.

Just as the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway had made commuting to the airport an easy task, similar ease of travel should be provided to people in other areas, he said.

Given the additional population and vehicles added to the surroundings of Hyderabad every year, the growing needs of people would have to be analysed to prevent the ‘gridlock’ phenomenon.

Mr.Rao asked the LEA consultants to first identify the high-density corridors of Hyderabad and come out with a plan to prioritise them. Along with improvement of road network, emphasis should be for fast draining of rainwater, he said.

Besides developing integrated road network, the Chief Minister wanted the consultants to look at regulating timings for different activities to reduce traffic congestion.

He also preferred another airport in the northern part of Hyderabad to cater to North Telangana districts and almost 50 per cent of Hyderabad’s population. The meeting was attended by LEA Associates Chairman John Farrow, Managing Director M.Phani Raju, senior consultant T.S. Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister T.Rajaiah, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister S.Narsing Rao, GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar and Special Secretary to CM, Smita Sabarwal.