What’s Causing Traffic Chaos at Gachibowli? Inside the Delayed IIIT Junction Project
HYDERABAD: Monsoon rains have delayed construction of the underpass at the busy IIIT Junction in Gachibowli. The delay has pushed back one of the most disruptive phases of the multi-level flyover and underpass project. As a result, traffic congestion is likely to continue for lakhs of commuters who use the corridor every day, reported TH.
Officials have paused underpass excavation for at least two months. They said heavy rains make large-scale digging unsafe and difficult. The underpass will connect Indira Nagar and Gachibowli Stadium. Workers need to excavate a stretch that is about 18 to 21 metres wide.
While officials have halted underpass work, they have sped up construction in other parts of the corridor. Crews are widening roads, shifting utilities and building flyovers at several locations. These activities have reduced road space and added to traffic delays.
According to official estimates, around five lakh commuters travel through IIIT Junction every day. Nearly 2.6 lakh to 2.8 lakh vehicles use the Lingampally-Gachibowli stretch daily. Another two lakh vehicles move along the ISB Road-DLF Road corridor.
Gachibowli traffic police say commuters wait around 15 minutes during peak hours. However, many motorists report delays of up to 30 minutes, especially during rains. Waterlogging and damaged roads often slow traffic further.
Additional lanes planned on key roads
Gachibowli Traffic Inspector Gona Suresh said authorities have moved the IIIT Hyderabad boundary wall inward to create two to two-and-a-half extra lanes.
Workers have completed duct-laying work on the stretch. They will now install electrical cables, drainage lines and other underground utilities. After that, authorities will surface the widened road and open it to traffic.
Officials are carrying out similar road-widening work on a 500-700 metre stretch towards Gachibowli Stadium.
Authorities are also shifting the TCS campus boundary wall inward to create more road space. In addition, they will relocate the Gachibowli traffic police station, which stands about 250 metres away.
Once the project is complete, the corridor will have five lanes in each direction. Two to two-and-a-half lanes on each side will pass through the underpass.
Flyover work moves ahead
The stretch between IIIT Junction and the University of Hyderabad witnessed severe traffic jams during the recent rains.
Although officials have delayed underpass excavation, they have accelerated flyover construction. Crews are building the level-1 bi-directional flyover linking ISB Road and DLF Road. They are also working on the level-2 semi-circular flyovers connecting DLF Road with Gachibowli Stadium and ISB Road with Indira Nagar.
The next major traffic disruption is likely on DLF Road. Authorities may soon close a 300-400 metre stretch between the DLF main gate and the Gachibowli traffic police station. Workers need the space to build a stormwater drain and a large double-decker pillar for the flyovers.
Suresh said girder launching requires heavy machinery and a large work area. Contractors will need access to the full width of the road during parts of the construction period. Officials have already informed nearby IT campuses, including TCS, about the upcoming restrictions. They will announce traffic diversions shortly.
