80 skywalks to make transportation easier

Skywalks will connect all city bus stops, MMTS, HMR stns

The city is to have some 80 skywalks, which will be connected to every public transport system. The proposed skywalks will connect Secunderabad railway station, Kacheguda railway station, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) and all city bus stops, MMTS stations, and HMR stations.

Some 42 multi level parking complexes on identified government lands will also be constructed to connect to the skywalks and major shopping malls, multiplexes and major markets including General Bazaar, Monda market, Sultan Bazaar etc. The government is also ready to construct parking complexes on private lands if citizens agree.

A meeting convened by Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi discussed the issue and directed Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, the nodal agency which will execute the parking complexes, to prepare a detailed project report about the skywalks and submit it at the earliest.

Sources said that all government departments will identify land for the multi level parking and hand it over to HMRL. Each parking complex should cater to local needs, the Chief Secretary said. Once tenders are finalised for parking complexes, HMRL will invite tenders for the skywalks.

HMRL’s managing director N.V.S. Reddy told this newspaper that it would soon float a comprehensive policy for multi level parking and skywalk projects. He said that the projects will be on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The skywalks constructed from 42 parking complexes will connect to all public transport systems, markets, and major commercial complexes in the city, so commuters can park their vehicles and have a hassle free walk.

Mr Reddy also said that HMRL will invite suggestions from civilians, experts, bureaucrats, and traffic police prior to chalking out the comprehensive policy for parking complexes and skywalks. He said besides government lands, HMRL was also actively considering private lands. He made clear that the ownership of the land will not be changed and price of the land will be fixed based on the location. He said that the government will call for expression of interest (EoI) from interested private parties by this month-end.

ONCE TENDERS are finalised for the parking complexes, HMRL will invite tenders for the skywalks.

THE SKYWALKS constructed from 42 parking complexes will connect to all public transport systems, markets, and major commercial complexes in the city.