New flyovers to be straighter
Careless driving forces GHMC to redesign flyovers; additional cost to be `2K cr
Following recommendations by the expert committee, the GHMC is redesigning all skyways under construction and those being planned under the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP) to straighten out curves. Officials disclose that this move will put an additional burden of `2,000 crore on the civic body for land acquisition. Officials say careless driving by motorists on city flyovers has forced them to take such a decision, which has also been approved by the state government.
Redesigning of curvatures came into focus particularly after multiple accidents on the Bio-Diversity flyover during 2019. The government then constituted a four-member expert committee to study whether there were any design flaws. The committee noted the absence of gantry sign at the entry of the Bio-Diversity flyover. The sample errant vehicle restraint or barrier had been found to be acceptable. It recommended providing the barrier for 100 metres from two metres before the apex of the flyover towards Mind Space junction. The panel observed that carriageway reduction signs provided before the exit did not conform to the IRC Code. The traffic ahead merging sign, which the GHMC had provided in consonance with IRC, went missing.
Pavement markings at merging points, found improper have also been modified as per suggestions of the committee. As the speed limit markings on the flyover had been staggered, the engineering wing provided additional speed limit markings across all three lanes. The panel noted that the warning sign of rumble strip ahead and go slow sign has not been of prescribed standard. The same has been provided as per the IRC Code.
This apart, officials said, in the 24 page document, the committee suggested change in curvature from 70metre radius to 120metre radius, which would ensure risk-free journey for commuters. Civic authorities redesigned OU Colony (Shaikpet) flyover, Shilpa Layout flyover, Gachibowli flyovers at Owaisi Hospital junction and Bahadurpura junction. As a result, authorities said, the `24,000 crore project cost will get enhanced by about another 10 per cent for land acquisition. “The state government has given utmost priority to commuter safety. On completion of flyovers, the corporation has placed rumble strips, signages, warning boards and speed guns. But these hardly make any difference for undisciplined commuters”, said a senior official. Meanwhile, Bio-Diversity flyover, aimed at easing traffic in the bustling city IT corridor, had remained closed for vehicles after two separate accidents ended in the death of three persons. The second accident, in which a car careened off the flyover and fell on a woman waiting for a bus below the flyover on November 23, 2019, led to the flyover being shut for 40 days.