Hyderabad’s first solar-powered footpath project progresses slowly

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s solar-powered model footpath project in Hyderabad is facing delays across key stretches, including Jubilee Hills and Somajiguda. Despite plans for solar canopies and recycled materials, the work has missed its deadline due to execution challenges and manpower shortages.

Hyderabad: The works on the model pedestrian facility dubbed the city’s first solar-power-based footpath have been moving at a snail’s pace.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had announced the project in prominent locations of the city, including Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills and Somajiguda in November last year with a deadline to have it completed within four months, by February, 2026. However, the deadline for the solar-power-based footpath project was not met, and three months have passed since, with the works being at a tardy pace.

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The pace of execution of the works has become a key concern for commuters, particularly at bus stops in Film Nagar (near Bharathi Vidya Bhavan), and they are expressing anguish over the project moving slowly on the ground.

The GHMC initiated the model footpath work from Ramanaidu Studio at Road No. 79/82 Junction to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Junction at CVR Channel, Road No. 82, Jubilee Hills, and Somajiguda-Raj Bhavan stretches, all considered to be high-pedestrian stretches.

A senior GHMC engineer of Khairatabad zone told ‘Telangana Today’ that it is for the first time that the civic body is using recycled plastic paver blocks, replacing traditional concrete tiles for the model footpath. The solar-power-based footpath is to be equipped with a 10-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar grid system, he said.

This solar-power-based canopy will not only provide shade to pedestrians but also contribute clean energy to the grid and install tactile pavers for the visually challenged, to ensure safe navigation for visually impaired pedestrians, said a GHMC official.

However, on the delays in execution of the works, the official said, “works are delayed in digging the footpaths and levelling due to these areas. The works have to be taken up at night due to footpaths being used by pedestrians during the day. Shortage of workforce is also one of the reasons for the delay.”

Model Footpath Project:

• Taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 1.68 crore

• To cover 1,000m (LHS) and 500m (RHS) of footpath

• To include solar installation, 600Wp or above solar modules

• 10kW grid-tied inverters, a lightning arrestor, and an earthing system

• Pavers manufactured with a composition of 65–70% post-consumer single-use plastic waste

• Remaining mix including fillers and mineral additives