Hyderabad has cleared a ₹3,145 crore second phase of its citywide road upgrade plan, setting the stage for large-scale rehabilitation and five-year maintenance of more than 1,100 kilometres of arterial and sub-arterial corridors. The decision, approved at the state level, is expected to reshape road asset management across the metropolitan core and adjoining municipal jurisdictions.
The Hyderabad road maintenance programme will cover 1,142.54 km within the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), with engineering teams preparing tender documentation ahead of formal administrative sanction. Of the total length, nearly 400 km has been newly added to the scope, reflecting a broader eligibility framework that now includes two-lane roads in addition to wider carriageways.Civic engineers say the expanded coverage is intended to address structural deterioration on heavily used corridors that have suffered repeated patchwork repairs. Unlike earlier contracts that focused primarily on resurfacing, the new phase mandates comprehensive reconstruction and upkeep by private concessionaires over a five-year period, embedding accountability for long-term performance.
A central feature of the Hyderabad road maintenance programme is the adoption of Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technology. This process involves excavating worn-out bituminous layers, recycling the material on site with stabilising agents such as cement and lime, and rebuilding a strengthened base before applying fresh surfacing. Officials indicate that FDR reduces material waste, lowers haulage requirements and extends pavement life compared to conventional milling and overlay techniques.Urban infrastructure experts note that such methods can enhance climate resilience. Hyderabad’s roads frequently experience stress from intense rainfall events and heavy vehicular loads. By strengthening sub-base layers and improving drainage integration, FDR-based rehabilitation may reduce the cycle of monsoon-related potholes and emergency repairs.
The programme also incorporates mechanised sweeping as part of routine maintenance, signalling a shift toward lifecycle-based asset management rather than reactive patching. Analysts say this integrated approach aligns with global best practice, where road quality is tied to measurable service standards over multi-year contracts.Of the additional stretches identified during the approval delay, nearly 100 km of severely damaged roads have already undergone interim works. The remaining network includes a mix of bituminous and cement concrete roads, reflecting varied traffic patterns and load requirements.For a city that continues to expand outward with new housing clusters and logistics hubs, dependable road infrastructure remains essential for economic productivity. However, transport planners caution that maintenance upgrades must be complemented by investments in public transport and non-motorised mobility to avoid reinforcing car dependency.As Hyderabad prepares to roll out tenders under the revamped Hyderabad road maintenance programme, the focus will be on execution quality, contractor performance and transparent monitoring. The success of this phase could define how effectively the city transitions from short-term fixes to durable, accountable urban infrastructure management.
Hyderabad road maintenance programme gets nod
