Hyderabad Metro rail, new foot-over-bridges on collision course

HYDERABAD: Attempts to make the city more pedestrian-friendly by building more foot-over-bridges (FOB) seem have come on collision course with the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, as a few locations identified for the former are on the metro corridors. Experts now say the two authorities will have to reach a mutual agreement as both are claiming to finish the works on a priority basis.
The places where the proposed FOBs clash with the metro rail are Sangeet Junction, RTC crossroads, Lakdikapul, Paradise Junction, KPHB, L B Nagar (ring road), Saroor Nagar, Abids, MJ Market and SD Eye Hospital. The GHMC had sought the assistance of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and the Hyderabad and Cyberabad traffic police to identify the areas with heavy pedestrian presence. "The police officials have picked out locations where the number of accidents are on the higher side to set up FOBs," said Prof V S Chary, ASCI. "
There are plans of making some FOBs lift-enabled. The FOBs could cost anywhere between Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh," he added.
The GHMC too is very keen on finishing the project at the earliest. "This particular project is on the priority list for the GHMC, and we will soon begin a feasibility study," said a senior engineering official at the civic body. However, he refused to comment about the collision with the metro rail corridors.
However, the metro rail authorities have no clue about this. "We have not been provided a list of the areas where the FOBs would be coming up. It is only after we study the list can we hold meetings with the GHMC to resolve the matter," said NVS Reddy, managing director, Hyderabad Metro Rail. In fact in April last year, the Metro Rail officials had sought permission from the GHMC to tear down the FOBs which were obstructing their corridor.