Hyderabad Plans Two Bridges To Ease Congestion

Hyderabad, by 2020, may get two new bridges over the Musi river, easing traffic woes on one of the most congested routes in the city. The work on the project would begin once the detailed project report (DPR), which has already been submitted to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development, is approved. The project, to be implemented by the Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL), will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 231.50 crore. 

Interestingly, the project design, which is being considered to be the first of its kind in the country, will keep the vehicles away thereby allowing minimum congestion. The first bridge under the project will be for pedestrians and will not allow entry of vehicles. To make it easier for those traveling in private vehicles to this area, a parking lot at Quli Qutb Shah Complex would be built close to the Central Library where about 80 cars and 100 two-wheelers can be accommodated. Besides, two bus depots and an auto-stand will also be built here. There will also be a bus bay close to Salar Jung museum-side.

While it is meant to serve pedestrians, the plan is to allow a scenic landscape and a wide passage in the middle of the bridge where seating arrangement and art exhibits for visitors. An amphitheatre with a capacity of 200 people along with 960 solar energy-powered kiosks is also part of the plan.

The second bridge, known as Fruit Bridge, will be exclusively made for hawkers and vendors and would accommodate around 336 vendors on the way to Charminar.

A similar project is already under works in Hyderabad's Charminar area  — the Charminar Pedestrian Project. The project is aimed at pedestrianisation of the areas around Charminar, conserving the historic structures and upgrading the infrastructure. Until September last year, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had spent around Rs 8 crore on the project.