Saidabad steel bridge cuts three-km travel to five minutes
Hydearbad: Residents of Saidabad and surrounding areas are set to get relief from a traffic problem they have faced for decades, with the steel bridge on the Saidabad main road nearing completion.
The three-km stretch, which currently takes about 30 minutes to cover, is expected to take just five minutes once the bridge opens. Officials are now giving the structure its final finishing touches.
The steel bridge connects the Chanchalguda Printing Press office with Yadagiri Theatre in Santoshnagar. Then minister K T Rama Rao laid the foundation stone for the project in July 2020.
The project was delayed over issues related to the construction site and acquisition of properties. Work was further held up by a dispute involving an old temple on the road.
After overcoming the delays, construction has finally been completed after six years. The project was initially taken up at an estimated cost of around ₹350 crore. The copy states that the cost subsequently rose to “K = 0.62 crore” because of the six-year delay; the figure is unclear in the supplied source.
Bridge will bypass signals at four major junctions
Once opened, the steel bridge will allow motorists to travel smoothly without stopping at signals at four junctions along the route.
Vehicles coming from the city via the Nalgonda Chowrasta flyover will be able to use the steel bridge to travel towards defence establishments, the airport, Srisailam and Kurnool.
A ramp at the IS Sadan junction will also allow vehicles to proceed towards Champapet.
Authorities have also modernised the roads beneath the bridge, which had been badly damaged during construction.
GHMC prepares for opening as date remains uncertain
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials are making arrangements to inaugurate the steel bridge on August 15 by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
However, there is no clarity yet on whether the inauguration will take place on that date or be postponed. Some officials believe the bridge could be opened after the chief minister returns from his foreign trip.
Meanwhile, speculation has begun over the name to be given to the steel bridge, with some names already being proposed.
