Suchitra-Medchal Works Delayed by 2 More Years

Hyderabad: Flyover and widening works on the Suchitra-Medchal stretch of National Highway-44 which began four years ago are progressing slowly and are now expected to take at least another two years for completion, prolonging commuter hardship on the busy corridor.

The project, which began in 2022 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was initially slated for completion in 2024 but has seen repeated delays. Traffic congestion has remained a major issue since construction began, with peak-hour movement severely affected and monsoon conditions worsening the situation.

NHAI has terminated the contract of the previous construction firm over delays and has invited fresh tenders, with the deadline set for August 10.

Nageshwar Rao, Project Director, NHAI, Kamareddy, said, “Once the tenders are opened and the contract is awarded, the project may take more than one-and-a-half years to complete. The previous contractor was disqualified for failing to finish the work on schedule.”

He added, “Two stretches remain incomplete: the Suchitra flyover is 50 per cent complete, while the Medchal flyover is 65 per cent complete.”

The project involves six-laning of the Hyderabad-Nagpur highway, including the Suchitra-Kompally elevated corridor and underpasses along NH-44, covering the stretch from Suchitra/Dairy Farm junction to Kompally and Medchal.

Key segments near Suchitra junction and towards Kompally remain incomplete, with pending deck slabs and restricted carriageways. Narrow diversions, damaged service roads and dust pollution have further added to commuter difficulties. Traffic police and NHAI have deployed personnel and introduced temporary U-turns to manage congestion.

The northern corridor has seen rapid real estate growth, with several residential colonies coming up along what was earlier considered the city’s outskirts.

Madela Pranay Kumar, a school teacher, said daily travel has been affected. “I travel from Hyderabad to Toopran with other teachers. Ongoing construction between Suchitra Junction and Kompally adds 20 to 30 minutes to our journey. The road is in poor condition, with loose gravel and sand increasing the risk of skidding and accidents,” he said

D. Vandana, a resident of Kompally, said the delays have increased commute time for families. “This is a rapidly developing area, but we have faced severe traffic congestion since moving here four years ago. My husband, who is a businessman, and our college-going children each spend an extra hour on the road every day.”

Commuters Dinakar and Olive Guttala said traffic slows down significantly near Dairy Farm Road. “Traffic begins moving at a snail’s pace from Dairy Farm Road. Despite the presence of traffic police, the road is so narrow that only one car can pass at some points, leaving commuters wondering when the flyover work will finally be completed,” they said.