Hyderabad, July 25: Imagine cruising your way to the airport at 120 kmph. What might have seemed as a figment of one’s imagination may soon turn to reality, as the finishing touches are being laid at the first phase of the Outer Ring Road. In a bid to ensure greater growth in the western outskirts of the City, HMDA officials have tied up with the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (INCAP) to create the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL). In a ironic twist to the tale of the fast lane, a scheduled inspection of the site by the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy was offset by around three hours on Friday, on account of traffic and a possible mix-up in the minister’s daily schedule.
As a pilot project of sorts, the merger has seen the widened Outer Ring Road Phase I, spanning from Gachibowli to Shamshabad airport being open to public, with further widening and service roads in the pipeline. HMDA officials revealed that while Phase II of the project, starting at Peddamberpet is also undergoing expansion and upgradation, “the first phase has been designed to be a world-class connection from the city to the airport, and will bring about further development in the surrounding areas.” It is also being speculated that the realty sector would also treat the ORR Nehru Expressway project as a boon, resulting in housing developments in the areas adjoining the Expressway.
While the final touches, like automated signal devices are yet to be initiated at the Phase I, the 24.38-km-long corridor would bring the airport down to a 20 minute drive from the Gachibowli crossing. The Phase I features a 125-metre wide total road width at its widest point, including provisions for service roads and the proposed BRTS Corridor. HMDA spokesperson Ramakrishna revealed that “as per safety norms, the expressway features metal beam crash barriers, along with thermoplastic lanes markings and retro sign boards.”
The ORR Phase I is expected to be completed by May 2010.
–Agencies–