Uppal elevated corridor works cause traffic chaos in Hyderabad

Traffic diversions and road closures linked to the Uppal Elevated Corridor works are causing severe congestion and delays for commuters in Hyderabad. Officials said the diversions could continue for another five to six months as pillar construction progresses on the corridor.

Hyderabad: Traffic police personnel near Uppal crossroads on Monday remained busy blowing whistles and diverting vehicles after the area witnessed significant traffic congestion due to road closures and diversions.

Frustrated commuters complained about several detours and traffic diversions, which led to delays in the movement of vehicles.

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For the Uppal Elevated Corridor works, the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) has announced traffic diversions, which commenced after repeated delays. Presently, pillar construction works for the elevated corridor are under way, and officials said the traffic diversions could remain in force for at least another five to six months.

The Uppal-to-Warangal stretch of the Uppal Ring Road has been completely shut, and all light vehicles from Hyderabad heading towards Warangal are being diverted at the Survey of India/GSI Junction. Commuters now have to take the Pista House route, travel through Beerappagadda, and rejoin NH-163 beyond the construction zone.

From Warangal towards Hyderabad, traffic is being diverted near Mehfil Hotel and routed through Uppal Bhagayath, moving onto the Nagole service road and taking a U-turn under the Nagole flyover to enter the city.

Meanwhile, heavy vehicles and trucks are prohibited from entering the Uppal crossroads zone, as the inner-city diversion roads, such as Uppal Bhagayath, are narrow and prone to bottlenecks. As a result, heavy trucks are using the ORR via Pedda Amberpet and Ghatkesar interchanges to bypass East Hyderabad.

Daily commuters face direct impact

Traffic diversions at Uppal crossroads have had a direct impact on daily commuters travelling through the junction, and they are likely to continue experiencing disruptions to their routine travel.

Commuters complained of increased travel time of at least 30 to 45 minutes to cross the 6-km stretch between Uppal and Narapally, and vice versa, as pillar works blocked the existing road network. Heavy machinery deployed at the work sites also created uneven and pothole-ridden stretches, adding to the delays.

Meanwhile, bus stops near the Uppal GHMC office and Uppal Circle have been shifted, affecting buses heading towards Warangal, Hanamkonda and Yadagirigutta. Passengers now have to proceed to a newly designated temporary bus terminal at the Nalla Cheruvu Katta lake bund area.

The proposed six-lane Uppal Elevated Corridor between Uppal and Narapally aims to provide seamless and traffic-free connectivity between Uppal and the Hyderabad-Warangal National Highway (NH-163).

The corridor, which stretches for 6.4 km, is the second-longest elevated corridor in the State after the 11.6-km PVNR Expressway. It starts at Uppal Junction and terminates near the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) in Narapally.