Hyderabad citizens question flyover model at GRIDLOCKED event

Urban experts, activists and citizens gathered at the GRIDLOCKED event in Hyderabad to question flyover-driven urban planning and rising traffic congestion. Speakers raised concerns over ecological damage near KBR National Park while highlighting the need for sustainable and people-centric urban infrastructure solutions

Hyderabad: “If flyovers work, why are we still stuck in traffic on them and under them?” This was the question that Hyderabadis, urban experts, engineers and activists posed to urban planners during an event titled GRIDLOCKED: H-CITI, Traffic, KBR National Park organised at Lamakaan here on Sunday. Citizens questioned the flyover myth through hard truths, art, music and a photography exhibition.

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The photo exhibition showcased Hyderabad’s gridlocked flyovers, disappearing tree cover and fractured streetscapes. The images, taken and submitted by citizens during their daily commutes while stuck in traffic across the city, offered an unfiltered view of the lived reality.

Speaking on the occasion, environment advocate and petitioner in the ongoing matter concerning KBR National Park and its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), Kaajal Maheshwari, said the purpose of an ESZ is defeated when a clearly defined, ecologically necessary and existing walkway is deliberately reduced to accommodate flyover infrastructure.

“Further, the manner in which the ESZ has been finalised without public consultation raises serious questions about legality, transparency and democratic process,” Maheshwari said.

Creative director Ambica Srimal, who brought the GRIDLOCKED event together, said she had watched Hyderabad’s traffic worsen year after year despite the continuous construction of flyovers. Good urban design moves people, not just cars.

“We cannot continue sacrificing forests and public spaces for infrastructure that does not solve congestion at its root. Through GRIDLOCKED, we hope to question flyover-driven alterations that destroy protected ecology,” Srimal said.

Natasha Ramarathnam, development sector consultant and environment advocate; Vijay Mallangi, civil engineer and citizen; and Dr Sagar Dhara, environmental engineer and expert in infrastructure and industrial impact analysis, among others, also spoke.

The event also featured performances by Sveccha and Rudraksh Koppula, Harsha Maheshwari, Geetha Narayani, Siri Chandana Bola and Adarsh from the Ananda Group, underscoring that citizen movements need not choose between art and activism.