Narrow lanes, no median on RK Puram flyover makes commuting a gamble

The 400-metre-long R.K. Puram flyover, constructed over two decades ago to replace the Rama Kistapuram railway level crossing, remains the only crucial link for thousands of daily commuters travelling from Neredmet, A.S. Rao Nagar and the ECIL area towards Trimulgherry, Karkhana and Secunderabad. Despite its strategic significance, the flyover has become a symbol of urban neglect, with persistent safety concerns and mounting public frustration.

With no central barricade separating the two directions of traffic, the flyover’s narrow lanes force motorists into risky overtaking manoeuvres. Sudden swerves, poor lane discipline and a lack of traffic calming measures have led to a consistent stream of minor accidents, often leaving two-wheelers vulnerable. Though mostly non-fatal, these incidents are frequent and disruptive.

“I use this route twice a day. The absence of a divider makes it a free-for-all,” said Sharath Kumar, a private tutor from A.S. Rao Nagar. “You end up playing chicken with oncoming vehicles.”

For older residents like 62-year-old Rukmini, a retired nurse from Nirmal Nagar, Neredmet, the flyover is best avoided altogether. “There is barely any street lighting at night. It is a hazard, especially for the elderly. During peak hours, I prefer the longer route via Cantonment area from Ammuguda.”

Younger commuters share similar concerns. “Every time I take my scooter over it during peak hours, I am on high alert. One mistake by anyone and it’s a pile-up,” said Rithwik, a 19-year-old student.

Online too, voices have grown louder. X (formerly Twitter) users routinely post videos of erratic driving and minor crashes. When an account called ‘HiSecunderabad’ posted a photo of a two-wheeler rider taking the footpath to cross the flyover, a user commented, “When free road itself is in a pathetic state, which is not enough for a four-wheeler, don’t expect people to follow rules.” The admin replied, “Yes, roads are pathetic. Yes, not enough room for vehicular movement. But that cannot be the reason to blatantly violate.”

Meanwhile, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) recently initiated structural restoration of the flyover under a ₹4.6 crore plan, following a detailed assessment by its engineering division.

The proposed restoration includes replacing expansion joints and distressed bearings, treating damaged girders and cracked sections, grouting, reinforced cement concrete repairs and application of anti-carbonation paint to protect exposed surfaces from further decay.

While these measures are aimed at extending the life of the structure, residents argue that they fall short of addressing the key design flaw: the lack of a median, road expansion and dangerously narrow lanes. “You cannot solve a traffic problem with engineering band-aids alone,” said Sridhar, a paediatrician at a nearby clinic. “This flyover was not built for today’s traffic volume or speed.”

Although the GHMC had, in earlier years, proposed a parallel two-lane bridge as part of the Strategic Road Development Programme, progress has stalled.

For now, the flyover remains both essential and unsafe. It connects entire neighbourhoods but at a daily cost to safety and peace of mind.