Delay in GHMC bridge work worsens traffic at Ashok Nagar

The delayed reconstruction of a bridge over a stormwater drain at Ashok Nagar has triggered severe traffic congestion and public frustration. GHMC officials blamed improper debris disposal by the contractor, while commuters criticised the slow pace and poor coordination of the project

Hyderabad: The apathy of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in executing the bridge reconstruction work on a stormwater drain at Ashok Nagar has resulted in an inordinate delay, prompting commuters to fume over the disruption.

The demolition work at the site, viewed by many as unplanned, has led to prolonged traffic hold-ups in the area, with commuters expressing anger over the manner in which the work was taken up, causing inconvenience and congestion during peak traffic hours.

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Commuters are upset over the pace of the project and the lack of a clear timeline, alleging that poor coordination between the GHMC and the agency concerned has worsened congestion along the affected stretch.

In March, the GHMC commenced the reconstruction of the bridge near NTR Stadium, which was in a dilapidated condition. The demolition of the existing structure on the stormwater drain beneath the Nayani Narasimha Reddy Steel Bridge at pillars 16 and 17 was taken up, and the GHMC aimed to complete the project within six months. However, even 40 per cent of the work is yet to be completed.

Sources in the GHMC Engineering (Projects) wing told Telangana Today that the agency concerned was supposed to remove and transport the debris from the old bridge. Instead, it dumped the debris into the stormwater drain itself. “This caused a major obstruction to the free flow of stormwater, which affected the project’s completion timeline,” an official said.

A GHMC official said the civic body had completed the cement concrete beam work on one side of the stormwater drain, while the demolition of the existing bridge on the other side had also been completed. The official said the work was progressing at a brisk pace and was expected to be completed within three months.

Meanwhile, traffic restrictions continue on the routes between Ashok Nagar ‘X’ Road and Indira Park ‘X’ Road, affecting commuters travelling from Himayat Nagar, RTC ‘X’ Road, Bakaram and surrounding areas.