In a bid to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion in Hyderabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has announced plans to enhance traffic flow at over 100 key intersections. The initiative involves creating free-left turns by removing encroachments and widening roads at 127 strategically identified junctions across the city.
Prominent junctions targeted in this project include Punjagutta, Jubilee Hills Road No. 36, Mehdipatnam, Trimulgherry, Himayathnagar, Kachiguda, Khajaguda, Gachibowli, Biodiversity, Miyapur, ECIL, Bandlaguda, Sainikpuri, and Banjara Hills Roads No. 1 and 12. By eliminating obstacles, the GHMC aims to enhance traffic movement and reduce delays, thereby significantly improving the daily commute for residents. The enhancement strategy involves clearing structures uniformly on all sides of the junctions to ensure symmetrical and smooth vehicle movement. Specifically, the plan includes removing structures within a 100-meter radius on three or four sides of the intersections. For example, if a proposed road measures 65 meters but current encroachments reduce it to 55 meters, the GHMC will demolish the obstructions to achieve the desired width.
Property owners affected by the junction improvement project will be compensated either in cash or through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), based on negotiations. The GHMC has already identified 127 junctions for improvement and will soon prepare budget estimates for the proposed works. Upon approval of these estimates, the actual construction work will commence. The entire process, from budget preparation to project completion, is expected to take approximately 2 to 3 years.
“This initiative is expected to significantly alleviate traffic bottlenecks, impacting thousands of properties. The project will be executed in phases, prioritising the most congested intersections. The GHMC will closely monitor the effectiveness of these measures and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal outcomes for the city’s traffic situation,” stated an official from the town planning wing of the GHMC. However, road safety experts caution that while free-left turns are an important part of traffic management, they alone cannot completely resolve congestion issues. “Proper implementation of free-lefts is crucial, as space is often limited at these turns. Additionally, major intersections need the presence of two traffic officials to ensure smooth flow,” said a road safety expert.
