HYDERABAD: With simultaneous developmental works being held across the city, problems keep piling up for commuters.
The white-topping roadworks at the 5.4-km-long Khajaguda-Neknampur stretch have already proved to be eating into much of the commuters’ time. However, now the issue seems to have escalated, with a new construction irregularity putting the lives of those using the road at risk.
The Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL) recently started cable-laying and stormwater drain works on the edges of the stretch, allegedly without taking necessary precautions. For the six-lane road, trenches up to 5 feet deep have been dug up on either sides without any barricades or warning tapes, risking the lives of commuters. The stretch also houses major schools like Oakridge and DPS in the vicinity, making the situation all the more dangerous.
“Minimum safety measures of barricading or warning tapes not put along this HUGE Trench. It directly opens to main road, making it very dangerous death trap for commuters,” posted Pradeep Kode on Twitter.
Ramkrishnan, another Twitter user tweeted, “No light at night on under construction Khajaguda Road is a disaster waiting to happen for night commuters. No signboard of diversion leading to confusion and someone could land up in pits.”
Touted as the ‘Model Corridor Road’, the link road connects Khajaguda to ORR, speeding up the commute for many techies residing in Manikonda, Neknampur and Nanakramguda. However, the road has been at the receiving end of public ire from the beginning, as the works are being undertaken haphazardly.
“They commenced the work even before the acquisition was complete, which made the road width uneven. This has led to bottlenecks, especially during rains,” noted P Ashok, a commuter.
However, authorities state that the roadworks would be completed within the next 15-20 days. “Depending upon the acquisition works by GHMC, the work should be over by the end of the month. We have taken all the precautions and safety measures necessary for building the road. The cable works will also be over soon,” explained K Sardar Singh, Executive Engineer, HRDCL.