Erragadda foot overbridge unusable as lifts and escalators remain out of service

Pedestrians on the busy Erragadda stretch struggle as a GHMC-constructed foot overbridge remains largely unusable due to defunct lifts and escalators, accumulated garbage, and encroaching vendors. Officials’ negligence has left commuters vulnerable and frustrated despite significant expenditure.

Hyderabad: A much needed Foot over Bridge (FoB) at along the busy Erragadda stretch in the city is hardly of much use for pedestrians with its escalators and lifts remaining defunct.

Given the wide road and the heavy traffic volumes on this road stretch near ESI Hospital, Erragadda, the pedestrians struggle to find their way from one side of the road to the other among fast moving vehciles. Road accidents involving the pedestrians have for long been common here.

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However, the much sought after FoB which promised to be a boon for the pedestrians here has been mired in apathy and not fully serving its purpose. Constructed by the GHMC to facilitate local residents of Model Colour, Czech Colony, ESI Hospital, Chest Hospital, and surrounding areas, the FoB has failed to fulfill its intended purpose.

The lifts and escalators have been not functioning and most of the times remain out of use for the pedestrians. Also, accumulated garbage on staircases and walkways, blocked by vendors further aggravate the situation.

The apathy of the civic body in maintaining the facility has led to the lift area becoming a garbage bin and a haunt for street beggars and social elements. Additionally, fruit vendors have parked their pushcarts in the FoB’s restricted areas, frustrating those who use the bridge.

During the rains, waterlogging in the lift areas and escalators add to the woes. Pedestrians here lament the GHMC spent lakhs of rupees on the infrastructure, but the outcome remained unsatisfactory due to officials’ negligence.