Foot overbridge near LV Prasad Eye Institute lies defunct
HYDERABAD: The pedestrian foot overbridge near LV Prasad Eye Institute in Banjara Hills, equipped with two elevators and an escalator to facilitate safe crossing of one of Hyderabad’s busiest arterial roads, has remained non-operational for an extended period. Consequently, pedestrians, including persons with vision impairment and their caregivers, are forced to cross the high-traffic roadway at-grade, creating a serious pedestrian safety hazard.
Vinay Vangala, a social activist, flagged the issue on social media. When visited the foot overbridge and spoke with the security guard, who confirmed the malfunction. Vinay told HyderabadMail, “This is a pedestrian safety concern and a clear case of civic negligence. Since the facility is not operational, people are crossing the road directly, causing traffic congestion. It is especially dangerous for visually impaired patients and their attendants.”
For improving universal accessibility, the foot-over bridge and the escalator was designed specifically to allow safe road crossing at a location that presents particular challenges, LV Prasad Eye Institute, one of India’s foremost eye hospitals, is on one side, and a large shopping mall on the other, with heavy vehicular traffic running between them at all hours.
Raising safety concerns for pedestrians
Moreover, LV Prasad Eye Institute serves many vulnerable groups. Patients with partial or total vision impairment, older adults, and caregivers depend on the elevators and escalator for barrier-free crossing. Without these accessibility features, the foot overbridge is unusable for them. They must attempt crossing the busy road on their own.
“I am especially concerned about this location because many eye patients rely on it,” said Vinay. During his visit, he saw cleaning materials and maintenance equipment left near the elevator, but no repair work underway. Additionally, the risk is further heightened by ongoing civil works for the KPR Park flyover. The lack of continuous, accessible footpaths exacerbates the problem for pedestrians. Existing footpaths are also in poor condition.
@GHMCOnline @CommissionrGHMC @jayesh_ranjan @revanth_anumula worried about other public lifts & escalators but more concerned for this place as lot of “eye” patients use it!
@ LV Prasad Eye Hospital, Banjara Hills #Hyderabad#Civic@HiHyderabad @CPHydCity @HydWatch @TheNaveena pic.twitter.com/IFinAme1Fr— Vinay Vangala (@vinay_vangala) July 4, 2026
With pedestrians unable to use the bridge and the ground-level crossing made more hazardous by construction activity, the combination creates a high accident risk, particularly for hospital patients and their families who may be less mobile or less familiar with the area.
“Because of this, there’s a high risk of accidents. The flyover work continues, and the footpaths are in bad shape,” said Vinay. The foot-over bridge, with its lifts and escalator, is maintained by GHMC. The facility has reportedly been out of order for a long time.
