Culvert works choke traffic flow on National Highway 44

Rajendranagar: With the absence of proper maintenance, the busiest and longest National Highway 44, which runs the length of the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, has become a perilous route for commuters.

The Department of Roads and Buildings (R&B) is blamed for the poor maintenance, especially the chocking passage at Mir Alam Filter, where the 'work is in progress.'

The bumpy road has developed potholes and open patches all over the way for several meters, making it difficult for the commuters to pass on freely.

What is more appalling is the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned who have closed the route from one side to pave way for the construction of a slab culvert, close to Mir Alam Tank, by divert the entire traffic only through a single route from the other side of the road using barricades. It has choked the entire route with heavy and medium vehicles forced to creep all the way for half a kilometer on the route.

The R&B Department has taken up slab culvert work near Mir Alam Tank on National Highway 44 without following a due procedure before establishing a diversion route with a feasible passage for the commuters to pass through the road conveniently.

Potholes all over the diversion route make it difficult for the commuters to ply conveniently, as they have to go through a roller-coaster ride, while moving over the road.

"The traffic is always overwhelming on this route, owing to its multi-dimensional connectivity. However, with potholes and open patches on the road, one has to be very careful before taking a diversion route, as it could lead to accidents," said Mohammed Zaheeruddin, a local social activist.

It may be mentioned here that the Department of Roads and Buildings (R&B), with the help from its liaison agency, the Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL), took up work of replacing the existing line with augmented slab culvert, close to the historic Mir Alam Lake, paving way for the free flow of sewerage flowing from upstream areas, such as Teegal Kunta and Chashma, directly into the water body.