Tolichowki–Seven Tombs road damaged within weeks, GHMC faces residents’ ire
HYDERABAD: Just two months after a freshly laid BT road brought relief to thousands of commuters on the Tolichowki Junction to Seven Tombs stretch, the main road has deteriorated alarmingly, developing massive potholes, uneven surfaces, and new traffic hazards. Residents now accuse the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) of shoddy workmanship and a broken grievance redressal system.
The road linking Tolichowki, Shaikpet, and the Qutb Shahi Tombs had been in disrepair for nearly four years because of Strategic Nala Development Program (SNDP) works. After public pressure, repairs began in June 2025 under GHMC Corporator Haroon Farhan and were announced by Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin. The project finished in July 2025, giving temporary relief to commuters.
However, that relief proved short-lived. By mid-August 2025, barely a month after completion, large potholes had already reappeared. “We waited four years for this road. Within two months, it’s falling apart. This is not wear and tear, it’s a clear case of substandard materials and workmanship,” a resident familiar with the matter told HyderabadMail.
What has compounded the problem, according to a detailed complaint received by this publication, is the nature of the repairs carried out since then. Instead of mechanized re-laying or proper hot-mix patchwork, authorities have resorted to manual filling of potholes. The result, residents say, is an uneven, unstable patch job that is often more dangerous than the previous craters, especially for two-wheeler riders. The manually filled patches break apart quickly, create sudden bumps, and worsen traffic snarls at key intersections.
Adding to the confusion, existing footpath encroachments along the stretch further narrow the carriageway, intensifying congestion at the Tolichowki and Seven Tombs junctions.
A resident reported the potholes via the GHMC’s MyCURE app over two months ago, but received no response. The complaint was either silently closed or ignored, reflecting failures in both road maintenance and the grievance redressal system.
Residents demand that GHMC and relevant authorities take immediate action to redo pothole repairs using proper machinery and quality materials. They urge the authorities to stop manual patchwork, hold contractors and officials accountable for the rapid road failure, clear all footpath encroachments along the stretch to reduce congestion, and guarantee prompt restoration after future utility work. Residents insist these steps are necessary for long-term road safety and usability.
With the Qutb Shahi Tombs drawing tourists and the road acting as a vital artery for thousands of daily commuters, locals fear that without urgent intervention, the road will become impassable before the end of the year.
Earlier, local corporator Haroon Farhan had previously assured residents in July 2025 that the road would be durable. Residents now want that promise and accountability to be enforced.
