Hyderabad roads damaged, ₹720 crore repairs pending

HYDERABAD: Commuters across Telangana are facing dangerous travel conditions as roads, from Hyderabad to rural districts, remain riddled with potholes. Continuous rains and poor construction have left even major routes severely damaged.

In Hyderabad, not a single kilometre of road remains smooth. From regular bitumen stretches to those built using Japanese plastic technology, all have developed cracks and craters. Concrete roads too are in disrepair. On Saturday, an RTC bus got stuck in a large pothole near the Sheikhpet flyover, highlighting the problem.

City roads in disarray

According to engineers, about 15,000 potholes have formed in the Greater Hyderabad region over the past three months. The actual number could be closer to 30,000. Roads maintained by the Roads and Buildings department have also suffered extensive damage, with gravel exposed and surface layers eroded.

Rural bridges at risk

Across the state, roads covering about 1,009 km in 961 locations have been damaged. In Wanaparthy district, the high-level bridge over Ookachetti vagu near Madanapuram on the Kothakota–Atmakur road is incomplete due to missing approach roads. Floodwaters from Sarla Sagar and Shankarasamudram have washed away parts of nearby cement roads, posing serious risks.

Locals and police have put up makeshift barricades near deep potholes to prevent accidents. Officials estimate that 235 bridges and culverts are damaged. Temporary repairs will cost ₹64 crore, while full restoration will require ₹720 crore.

Despite three reports prepared on the damage, no patchwork has begun. Commuters continue to navigate hazardous stretches across the state.

GHMC spending (₹ crore): Major road repairs last year: 17.41; internal road repairs: 31.91; road maintenance this year: 50.