The Hindu              29.05.2013

Tolichowki flyover: GHMC awaits CM nod

Special Correspondent

The GHMC is waiting for the Chief Minister to lay the foundation stone for beginning work on the Tolichowki flyover, which is expected to cost Rs.43.78. This is notwithstanding protests from some property owners over its distinctive design, which, they fear, will affect their buildings.

Perhaps, for the first time the civic body has ensured that the flyover design incorporates a religious structure located bang in middle of the Tolichowki junction. Having given up hope of relocating the structure, officials have proposed a curvature in the middle in both directions so that it need not be disturbed.

A proposal for constructing the flyover above the religious place was also considered but was given up following opposition. Consequently, the 650-metre-long six-lane flyover, with three lanes on either side, will be split and take a bulge in the middle for the religious structure before merging again.

However, officials will have to acquire at least 55 properties, a majority of them for laying slip roads on either side of the flyover to an extent of 20 ft, according to S.E. (Projects) R. Sridhar. The flyover is expected to ease traffic movement between Mehdipatnam and Gachibowli.

The actual cost of the flyover is Rs. 38.78 crore, and Rs. 4 crore more has been allotted for land acquisition and utilities shifting, with Venkat Rao Infra Projects bagging the contract. Since the cost of construction was above Rs. 50 lakh, the project was referred to the government seeking administrative sanction, and it was accorded in October last year.

There will be 38 spans, 19 on each side of the split, and pre-cast pre-stressed girders are to be used for the construction, which is expected to be completed in 18 months, senior Municipal officials said. Two other major flyovers have also been proposed to be taken up at Amberpet between the crossroads and Sri Ramana theatre costing Rs. 95.07 crore and another between Fatehnagar and Balanagar junction . The second project is estimated to cost Rs. 90 crore.

For the first time, GHMC has ensured that the flyover design incorporates a religious structure located bang in middle of the Tolichowki junction, and officials have proposed a curvature in the middle in both directions so that it should not be disturbed.