Shaikpet road project delayed, potholes persist ahead of Bonalu
HYDERABAD: A road project in Shaikpet, sanctioned nearly a year ago, has not yet begun. Commuters still struggle with large potholes on a major arterial road as the Bonalu festival approaches on July 16. Social activist Maryala Ajay Kumar brought the issue to the attention of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). He explained that the project, valued at about Rs 45 lakh, was sanctioned last September during the Jubilee Hills by-elections, when several road infrastructure projects were approved for the area. However, no work has commenced after a year.
Specifically, the affected stretch is near Shaikpet Ramalayam. This road connects traffic from Manikonda and Puppalguda through Shaikpet to Shaikpet Nala, providing access to Film Nagar and Jubilee Hills. Apparently, the road project, valued at about Rs 45 lakh, was approved almost a year ago. Yet, the potholes remain. In response to the delay, Ajay Kumar suggested to GHMC officials that, at a minimum, they should undertake a temporary patchwork repair, which would cost less than Rs 10 lakh. However, he received only a noncommittal response.
When Ajay Kumar brought up the problem with GHMC, officials said they needed to coordinate with HMWSSB. This is because the road sits above a Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) raw water conduit, which is now covered with construction and demolition debris.
Further explaining the situation, Ajay Kumar said that the conduit is a gravity-fed water channel. It carries water from Gandipet to the Asif Nagar filter beds near Niloufer Hospital. The channel is about 10 feet wide and passes through Narsingi, Manikonda, Puppalguda, and Shaikpet, then continues through Mehdipatnam. Over the years, people have encroached on much of the open space around the conduit.
Ajay Kumar also questioned why similar roadwork in Tolichowki and Manikonda went ahead, while this patch now faces objections. He pointed out that earlier projects were completed as extensions of existing stretches, but this work has stalled without clear reasons.
Additionally, he noted that the poor road conditions are also affecting public transport. TSRTC buses on routes such as 65S and 123 travel through this stretch and frequently experience traffic congestion due to the potholes, especially during peak hours. Both vehicles and commuters are affected.
With the Bonalu festival approaching and heavy daily traffic, Ajay Kumar said there is still no substantive update on the project. He urged GHMC to carry out patch repairs immediately or coordinate with HMWSSB to resolve the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issue. He also pointed out that GHMC may have access to special festival-related funds that could be used to expedite the road works.
