RTI exposes delays and lack of penalties in Hyderabad’s Suchitra flyover work
HYDERABAD: An official RTI reply has revealed the prolonged delays in the Suchitra Junction Flyover, showing that over half of the project funds were paid, although only half the work was completed in four years, with no penalties for slow progress.
The National Highways Authority of India’s Project Implementation Unit in Kamareddy responded to applicant Ram Vadde under the RTI Act. The reply outlines several issues affecting the 10-kilometer stretch from Gundlapochanpally to Bowenpally, which has become a major traffic bottleneck for commuters in Hyderabad.
The document states the total project cost is Rs 422.29 crore. NHAI has released Rs 273 crore, approximately 65% of the total, to the contractor, M/s Lakshmi Infrastructure Developers India Pvt. Ltd. from Vijayawada, despite physical progress reaching only 50.5%. This situation raises concerns regarding fund utilization and oversight.
The NHAI cited several reasons for the delay, including restricted entry timings for construction vehicles, delays in securing traffic diversion approvals from the police, land encroachments, and court cases, most of which have now been resolved. Additional factors include challenges related to tree translocation and utility shifting, delays in obtaining No-Objection Certificates from defense authorities, and the contractor’s slow progress and financial difficulties.
Half work done, Rs 273 crore released
Despite naming the contractor’s slow progress and financial health as causes, the RTI reply states, “No such penalties are imposed on the contractor so far.” The authority confirmed it has only issued “cure period notices” to the firm.
The flyover was originally scheduled for earlier completion, but now has a revised deadline of May 31, 2026. Ongoing delays have led to skepticism among commuters.
RTI reply by @NHAI_Official confirms that the Suchitra–Bowenpally flyover (NH44, Hyderabad) is only 50% complete after 4 years, yet ₹273 crore out of ₹422 crore already paid to the contractor.
👉 No penalties imposed.
👉 New deadline: May 2026.@NHAI_Official @nhairohyd have… pic.twitter.com/UmeW7PMG1M— FIX ROADS (@FIXHYDROADS) November 2, 2025
These findings have prompted criticism from citizens and urban activists. One social media user highlighted the gap between payments and progress, posting “RTI reply by @NHAI_Official confirms that the Suchitra–Bowenpally flyover is only 50% complete after 4 years, yet Rs 273 crore out of Rs 422 crore has already been paid to the contractor. No penalties imposed.”
The user also questioned the reasons provided by NHAI and pledged to “debunk them one by one.” This reflects increasing public frustration with the project’s management.
NHAI stated that road safety measures are being maintained according to standards, but acknowledged that “deviations are being notified time to time for compliance.”
