KBR Park Traffic Plan: From 7 Flyovers To One Steel Corridor!

Hyderabad’s much-discussed and widely-publicised KBR Park traffic decongestion plan has been in the news. Initially, 7 flyovers and 7 underpasses around KBR park were planned as part of the HICITI project, i.e Hyderabad City Integrated Traffic Infrastructure. While this 14-structured project was sanctioned with an initial estimated budget of ₹ 826 Crore in 2024, it was later revised to ₹1,090 Crore.

The project was conceived to address long-standing traffic congestion around KBR Park and the busy Jubilee Hills-Banjara Hills-Punjagutta corridor. However, this project soon ran into environmental protests and legal challenges as several environmentalists protested against tree felling.

In May, the Supreme Court ordered an interim halt to tree felling within the proposed 25-35 metre eco-sensitive zone around KBR Park while examining challenges related to environmental safeguards. Environmental groups have claimed that nearly 2,000 trees were felled in areas around the park for various flyover and underpass works. The issue triggered protests from residents and civil society groups.

Meanwhile, a clockwise one-way traffic system around KBR park has come into force as a trail. As this became successful, officials and authorities feel that this one-way system will now be made permanent.

Amidst the growing concerns and controversy from environmentalists, the latest is that the Revanth Reddy government has scrapped this ambitious project, taking many by surprise. Instead, a revised plan has been approved. The new plan is Elevated Steel Corridor built as a single 4.4 km stretch from Jubilee Hills Check Post to NFCL Junction. The proposed six-lane, bidirectional steel flyover is aimed at providing signal-free movement across five major junctions.

The new corridor is being built as two packages within the budget of ₹1,090 Crore. The first, from Jubilee Hills Check Post to Mugdha Junction, is estimated at ₹580 crore. The second, from Mugdha Junction to Muffakham Jah College, including a ramp towards Banjara Hills Road No. 1, is estimated at ₹510 crore. This revised plan was approved by the GHMC Standing Committee on October 3.

However, this major revision has also triggered political criticism. KTR questioned the government’s decision to substantially alter the project after significant road works and tree-felling had already taken place. “Welcome to the new Tuglak era,” KTR posted on social media.

With the original multi-flyover plan now replaced by a single elevated corridor, questions over the environmental impact and accountability are likely to remain.

For Hyderabad’s daily commuters, however, the key question is simpler, Will the new elevated corridor actually deliver the promised signal-free and congestion-free movement around KBR Park? Let’s hope so.