Quality concerns emerge over Hyderabad’s Rs. 90 crore cycle track along ORR
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad cycling community has raised concerns over recent cracks on the cycle track at Vattinagulapally, prompting questions about the construction quality and execution of the project. The track, built along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs. 90 crores, was designed to international standards.
Request kind attention from @HMDA_Gov @md_hgcl to fix our world famous #Hyderabad pride #HyderabadCyclingTrack
Vatinagulapally junction@CommissionrGHMC @ZC_SLP @TelanganaCMO @gadwalvijayainc @revanth_anumula @prudhviramk7 @Kmv_Spaces
Thanks @swaroop @HydcyclingRev… pic.twitter.com/enNy1HHxia
— Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad (@sselvan) January 15, 2025
The key issues identified include frequent cracks, particularly at Vattinagulapally. Although the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has performed temporary repairs, officials have acknowledged the persistent nature of the problem.
One of the primary concerns is the track's construction over a 3500 mm water pipeline laid by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). According to the reports, officials admitted that improper trench refilling during the pipeline installation compromised the track’s foundation. Cracks along the pipeline could pose a risk of leaks, potentially damaging portions of the track.
The 23-kilometer track costs ₹3.91 crores per kilometer, with features like solar panels generating 16 MW of power and night lighting. However, solar power generation has only reached 10-13 MW, which is underdelivering expectations. It is believed that the project may have been rushed ahead of the last assembly elections, which could have affected its quality.
Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail on January 16, 2025, Santhana Selvan, Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad and a member of the Hyderabad Cycling Revolution, expressed pride in the city's cycling infrastructure but called for permanent solutions to prevent further cracks. “We are proud of India’s first solar-paneled bicycle track. Thanks to HMDA for addressing the patchwork, but we request permanent fixes to prevent further cracks,” Selvan said.
We need to understand why this has happened, by the way?!
— Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad (@sselvan) January 15, 2025
On January 15, 2025, Selvan also raised concerns on social media, urging attention from authorities to fix the issues at the Vattinagulapally junction.
Who was the first contractor who did this work? World famous? But forgot to built with world class standards?
— Ashok P (@ashok20) January 15, 2025
In December 2024, reports emerged regarding the removal of a section of the solar roof, raising concerns about the integrity of the track. Authorities clarified that only an 80-meter section of the roof is being removed to facilitate the construction of a downramp between Nanakramguda and Narsingi, which aims to improve traffic flow. The cycling track itself will remain unaffected.
Hyderabad’s Solar Roof Cycling Track
The Hyderabad Solar Roof Cycling Track, a 23-kilometer project inaugurated during the previous government’s tenure, is India’s first solar-powered cycle track and the world’s second of its kind. The track is divided into two segments: the Pink Line, which stretches 8.5 kilometers from Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy, and the Blue Line, which covers 14.5 kilometers from Narsingi to Kollur.
The track features a solar roof that generates 16 megawatts of power, which is used to light streetlights along the route. The project is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with the solar panels expected to pay for themselves within six years.
The track also includes five access points equipped with parking, food stalls, repair stations, and other amenities. It operates 24/7, with CCTV surveillance providing added security.
The ₹90 crore project, a collaboration between the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), aims to promote cycling and sustainable transportation in the city.
