Uppal road stretch turns dust bowl, authorities promise action

Hyderabad: The deteriorating condition of the Hyderabad-Warangal route from Uppal to Medipalli has become a source of daily torment for thousands of commuters, with large potholes and dust clouds turning the crucial corridor into a hazardous stretch. The 6.2-km route, currently under construction for a major flyover project, has been plagued by delays and poor maintenance, leaving residents and travellers struggling to navigate through the crater-ridden roads."I've had three near-misses in the past week alone," said Rajesh Kumar, a software professional who commutes daily from Boduppal to the western IT corridor. "The potholes are so deep that my two-wheeler almost topples when I try to avoid them, especially during peak hours when visibility is poor due to dust."Local resident Lakshmi Devi, who runs a small shop near Uppal junction, complained of respiratory issues affecting her family. "The dust is unbearable. We can't keep our windows open, and customers have stopped coming to our shop. My children are constantly coughing," she lamented.The ongoing flyover project, estimated to cost 675 crore, aims to decongest traffic; however, multiple challenges, including land acquisition issues and contractor problems, have been reported to have delayed progress.G Nagaraju, SHO Uppal traffic police station, acknowledged the challenges faced by his team. "We have deployed twelve personnel who are working tirelessly to manage traffic, braving severe dust pollution. We're coordinating with multiple departments and using barricades and traffic cones to regulate vehicle flow based on traffic density," he explained.The roads and buildings department claims that the worst is almost over. "Despite initial setbacks, progress will accelerate from next month onwards as land acquisition and utility relocation tasks are complete. We expect to complete the project within 18 to 24 months," assured a senior R&B official.The project, set to become Telangana's second-longest flyover after the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway, includes plans for a 150-foot-wide service road beneath the flyover to improve connectivity to Ghatkesar and surrounding areas.