Vidyanagar-ou stretch to get ROB

GHMC to assess feasibility, purchase land from private parties

To relieve traffic congestion, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is planning to construct a parallel rail overbridge (ROB) from Vidyanagar to the OU NCC gate, similar to the parallel ROB at Lakdikapul.

The GHMC will perform a feasibility assessment and is anticipated to engage in land purchase discussions with private property owners, including commercial establishments and private educational institutions. The gas station beside Andhra

Mahila Sabha College and the school on the side of NCC gate could be the route chosen for the parallel ROB. Land acquisition could be a major challenge as some private educational institutions are opposing it.

According to GHMC authorities, the present three-decade-old Rob’s narrowness not only hinders increasing traffic movement, but it also increases the possibility of traffic snarls when heavy vehicles, such as RTC buses, utilise the route.

“We have received representations from local residents to resolve the traffic

● ACCORDING TO GHMC authorities, the present three-decadeold Rob’s narrowness not only hinders increasing traffic movement, but it also increases the possibility of traffic snarls when heavy vehicles, such as RTC buses, utilise the route.

congestion. The current width of the existing ROB is insufficient for growing traffic movement, causing traffic bottlenecks. We are preparing a proposal for the construction of a parallel ROB. If completed, the new ROB will be utilised for traffic arriving from one side, while the old will be used for traffic coming from the other,” a GHMC official stated.

While GHMC officials feel that a new ROB will solve the traffic difficulties on the Vidyanagar-ou NCC gate route, some businesses believe it will be ineffective. The idea of increasing the existing infrastructure would be of little value, according to J Srinivas, owner of a local business establishment, because the RTC buses are now following an alternative route after being barred from the OU campus. “After the university prohibited buses from entering the campus, fewer buses are now operating from this location. They are using the Adikmet flyover, which is now congested and causing traffic congestion,” he added.

Small traders too questioned the idea of a new ROB, citing lower travel volumes outside of peak hours. “There is traffic only during certain times, such as when educational institutions open or close,” said P. Sukumar, a vegetable trader.