Hyderabad Outlines Multi-Pronged Plan to Ease Urban Traffic Congestion
To combat chronic road congestion in Hyderabad, government officials and urban mobility experts gathered for a panel discussion titled ‘Choked’ at Goethe Zentrum. Special Chief Secretary for Metropolitan Area and Urban Development, Jayesh Ranjan, outlined multiple measures, including 100 targeted interventions, elevated corridors, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements planned for the city.
What Happened
During the panel discussion moderated by Natasha Ramarathnam, officials and specialists discussed key strategies for addressing Hyderabad’s urban traffic challenges. Jayesh Ranjan announced that the state government is actively considering solutions for persistent congestion, with immediate plans expected to roll out within three to six months. Additional panellists, including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner R.V. Karnan, urban transport specialist Prashanth Bachu, and academic Anjali Lal Gupta, shared perspectives on public transport, road infrastructure, pedestrian rights, and inclusive urban planning.
Key Highlights
- Quick and Annual Interventions: A total of 100 interventions have been listed for implementation within a year, with quick solutions scheduled for the next three to six months.
- Corridor Engineering and Elevated Roads: Authorities have identified 21 corridors facing road engineering issues for prompt action, alongside four planned elevated corridors across various routes.
- Pedestrian Infrastructure: Following the Supreme Court’s order declaring the right to walk as a fundamental right, model corridors spanning a cumulative length of 60 kilometres will feature wider footpaths and facilities for non-motorised transport.
- Unified Transport Initiatives: Planned administrative and tech measures include reviving the Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, rolling out a single card for multimodal transport, and launching an app for real-time traffic alerts.
- Expert Perspectives: Urban transport specialist Prashanth Bachu stressed discouraging private transport over expanding road space, noting Singapore’s annual spending of ₹15,000 crore on public transit. He highlighted that flyovers limit pedestrian access, particularly impacting children and the elderly. Academic Anjali Lal Gupta emphasized involving marginalised communities in planning, while moderator Natasha Ramarathnam noted traffic congestion severely reduces quality of life.
Why This Matters
Traffic congestion directly impacts daily commuting and quality of life in urban Hyderabad. According to experts at the panel, focusing solely on building flyovers and expanding road space can lead to the marginalisation of pedestrians and reduce opportunities to build effective public transit. Implementing pedestrian-first model corridors, unified ticketing, and public transport improvements aims to address these physical, social, and mobility challenges directly.
What to Watch Next
Key actions to observe in the coming months include the implementation of quick traffic solutions planned within three to six months, the rollout of the 100 listed interventions over the next year, the commencement of work on the 21 identified engineering corridors, and the development of the 60 km model pedestrian corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What immediate steps are being taken to address traffic in Hyderabad?
Authorities have identified solutions set for implementation within three to six months, alongside 21 corridors with engineering issues that will undergo action soon.
What pedestrian developments were announced?
In response to the Supreme Court declaring the right to walk a fundamental right, model corridors totaling 60 kilometres in length will be created with wider footpaths and facilities for non-motorised transport.
What other public transport tools are being introduced?
Measures include the revival of the Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, a single card for multimodal transport, and a traffic alert application.
Source: Information derived from reporting by The Hindu on the Goethe Zentrum panel discussion.