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In a significant development for Hyderabad’s urban infrastructure, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is set to transfer 330 acres of government land to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This strategic land swap will serve as compensation for approximately 160 acres of defence land required for the construction of two critical elevated corridors in the city—one stretching from Paradise Junction to Shamirpet, and another from Paradise to Dairy Farm Road on Medchal Road.
The foundation stone for these ambitious corridors was laid last year by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy following the MoD’s in-principle approval for the land transfer. According to HMDA Chief Engineer B Ravinder, works on the Paradise to Dairy Farm Road corridor are likely to commence by mid-June 2025, with tenders already finalized and work awarded. “The project has a completion period of 36 months at an estimated cost of Rs 652 crore,” Ravinder stated.
The elevated corridors represent a critical component of Hyderabad’s Strategic Road
Development Programme (SRDP), designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance
connectivity across the rapidly expanding metropolis.
The Paradise to Dairy Farm Road corridor will be a six-lane elevated structure spanning a
total length of 5.40 kilometers, with 3.05 kilometers on an elevated platform. Entry and
Artist’s rendering of the proposed elevated corridor in Hyderabad exit ramps will facilitate smooth traffic flow, while a 600-meter-long underpass will be constructed near Anna Nagar Junction close to the Begumpet Airport stretch.
Technical studies are currently underway at Begumpet and Hakimpet airports, as the project includes plans for underground tunnels at both locations. Approximately 26 acres of land—one acre from Begumpet and 25 acres from Hakimpet—will be acquired for these segments.
The Shamirpet corridor requires 114 acres of defence land and 78 acres of private land, while the Dairy Farm Road corridor needs 42 acres of defence land and 13 acres of private land. The HMDA is conducting socio-economic surveys for acquiring private land to avoid legal complications.
For the average Hyderabadi commuter, these elevated corridors promise significant relief from the daily ordeal of navigating through congested traffic. Currently, over 200,000 vehicles pass daily between Paradise Circle and Dairy Farm Road via Bowenpally X Roads, with traffic jams at Tadbun Junction and Bowenpally X Roads being a regular frustration.
The commute between Paradise Circle and Dairy Farm currently takes between 45 to 60 minutes during peak hours. Once completed, this travel time is expected to reduce to approximately 30 minutes—a reduction of up to 50% that would translate to substantial time savings for thousands of daily commuters.
The elevated corridor project will impact a total of 10,593 trees along both routes.
However, in a conscious effort to balance development with environmental preservation, only 3,298 trees—mostly subabul—will be felled, as approved by the tree protection committee of the forest department.
“In light of the Kancha Gachibowli issue reaching the Supreme Court and strong objections from environmentalists, we’ve taken every precaution and conducted thorough enumeration,” explained HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmad, underscoring the authority’s commitment to responsible development.
Of the remaining trees, 4,230, including valuable neem species, will be translocated to areas such as Nehru Zoological Park, Hakimpet Sports School, and other HMDA open spaces. Another 3,095 trees will be retained, as they do not directly obstruct the construction footprint of the corridors.
While the long-term benefits of the elevated corridors are substantial, the project will inevitably cause some disruption to established communities. Approximately 251 private structures along NH-44 will be affected, according to a Secunderabad Cantonment Board resolution passed in August 2024.
For residents and businesses along these routes, the 36-month construction period will bring challenges including noise, dust, and potential access issues. However, the HMDA’s approach of conducting detailed socio-economic surveys suggests a commitment to fair compensation and minimizing hardship for those affected.
Local resident Priya Sharma, who commutes daily from Bowenpally to Secunderabad, expressed mixed feelings: “The traffic is unbearable now, so I welcome any solution. But I’m concerned about how we’ll manage during the construction phase. I hope the authorities will provide alternative routes and minimize disruption.”
In anticipation of the main construction phase, the HMDA has already begun preliminary works, including the construction of four underground sumps to supply water in cantonment and defence areas. Tenders for compound wall construction have been finalized, signaling the project’s transition from planning to implementation.
The Ministry of Defence had made it mandatory that before commencing earth excavation work, the HMDA must obtain a No Objection Certificate from Civil Aviation due to the proximity to Begumpet airport and provide view cutters—requirements that the authority is actively addressing.
Beyond the immediate traffic relief, the elevated corridors are expected to deliver substantial economic benefits for Hyderabad. Reduced commute times translate to productivity gains for businesses, while improved logistics and transportation efficiency could strengthen the city’s position as a commercial hub.
Property values along the corridor may see appreciation once the project is completed, potentially benefiting homeowners in these areas. The 36-month construction period itself will create numerous jobs, providing economic opportunities for workers in the construction sector.
The elevated corridors represent more than just infrastructure development—they embody Hyderabad’s vision for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable urban future. By addressing one of the city’s most persistent pain points—traffic congestion—these corridors will contribute to improved quality of life, reduced vehicle emissions, and enhanced urban mobility.
As Hyderabad continues its trajectory as one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, investments in such critical infrastructure will be essential to accommodate increasing population and vehicle density while maintaining livability and economic dynamism.
With the land transfer process nearing completion and preliminary works already underway, Hyderabadis can look forward to a transformed urban landscape that promises smoother commutes and better connectivity in the coming years, despite the temporary inconveniences of the construction phase.
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