Denizens decry flyovers in posh areas

Hyderabad: Politicians of different hues have denounced the grandiose Rs 2,631 crore 20 multi-level flyovers and junctions project by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Terming it a please-all to the big-wigs and VIPs in the city, social activists, former corporators and politicians say that majority of the flyovers are in up market areas.

The Telangana government on Friday gave its nod to the GHMC’s proposal for taking up multi-level flyovers and junctions at 20 corridors as part of the first phase of the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP). The deadline to complete the project is two-and-a-half years. The GHMC would appoint a consultant, said an official. Reacting to the government’s decision, M Srinivas, city unit secretary, CPI (M) says, “Eleven out of the 20 flyovers are in posh areas.

For years developmental activity has been going on only in the western side. Lopsided development will only widen the divide between the poor and the rich.” In the last ten years, not even 2 percent was spent on slums. There should have been an all-party meeting before taking decisions, he said.

According to former corporator of Ramgopalpet, Kishore. “If all the money is spent on flyovers what would happen to the other areas. Parks, roads and sewerage are major areas that need attention,” he said. Drawing attention to the slums, N V V S Prabhakar says traffic problems are across the city, but most of the flyovers would be coming up at KBR Park, Cancer Hospital, Film Nagar, Owaisi Hospital and Biodiversity Park. Scientific study is necessary. For example in Tarnaka traffic is heavy and such areas need to be included.

A social worker, Rukmini, says that the government should focus on balanced development. Like the earlier governments even the regime seems to be looking at areas where the affluent live. TRS MLA Kanaka Reddy defends by saying, “This is only the first phase where land acquisition problems are not there and in next two phases, areas like Trimulgherry, Jubilee bus station and other areas, including Old City will be taken up. It is not correct to say that the government was neglecting such areas.”