Traffic time increases on JBS-Kharkhana stretch in spite of opening Gough Road

Kharkhana/JBS: Commuting from Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) towards Kharkhana and beyond is a challenge and the travel time between JBS and Alwal has increased by 30 minutes in the last six months say residents of Alwal, Bolarum and Lothukunta. Compounded to the problem is the challenge of travelling during the monsoon. 

Kishan, a resident of Lothukunta says, “Whenever it rains, the road in front of Bata showroom gets flooded and people practically have to use half of the road.” The state government plans of Rajiv Rahadari expressway under the redevelopment plan from Parade Grounds to Lalbazar junction to construct an elevated corridor is now on the backburner, in the meantime the traffic on the stretch has increased.

Commuters residing in Sainikpuri, Vayupuri, Neredmet, Ramakrishnapuram, ECIL and beyond who used to use the JBS –Kharkhana road have started using Gough Road, yet the traffic snarls on the JBS- Kharkhana stretch remain. Iswar, software professional says, “The government should have taken up the 20-km expressway. The population is increasing by the day and so is the travel time is increasing. K Ramnarayan, a resident of Macha Bolarum says, “The road is not same throughout the stretch. In some places especially near Secunderabad Club, Vikrampuri and Kharkhana it is narrow.

Shop owners are fine with 100-feet road

The shop owners are opposing the elevated corridor plan but are okay with a 100-feet road instead of a 200-feet road. It would reduce the burden of land acquisition. V Amaranath, president, Rajiv Rahadari Shop Owners’ Association says, “A 100-feet road would be fine and would not result in much loss to property. Even owners would be fine as it would benefit everyone.” Ravinder, a textile shop owner says, “An elevated corridor would cost Rs 100 cr per km while road development would be Rs 10 crore per km. Locals say that it the government promised to take up the issue but have now fallen silent. With the elections round the corner, the road development plan has hit a road block.