Mehdipatnam Skyway Won’t Threaten PVNR Expressway, Say Officials

Hyderabad: Officials have dismissed claims about the ongoing Mehdipatnam skywalk project threatening structural stability of the PVNR Expressway, under which it is being built, and assured people that the construction was being carried out with strict safety protocols, adequate clearance, and inter-departmental coordination.

The HMDA has begun work between PVNR Expressway Pillars 13 and 14 to connect the existing foot overbridge (FOB) on one side of the road with a new elevated pathway on the other, removing the need for pedestrians to cross one of the city’s busiest junctions.

As part of the construction, which will be completed in two months, digging is underway under the expressway to construct a central support pillar.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a project engineer said, “This pillar will anchor the elevated pathway and connect seamlessly to the two existing pedestrian structures. The expressway pillar height is 8 metres, while the heavy-vehicle clearance is 5.5 metres. The planned skywalk height under the flyover will be 2.8 metres, designed to avoid obstruction to vehicle movement.”

Dr S.P. Anchuri, architect and structural engineer, said, “The Punjagutta flyover collapse in 2007, which claimed several lives due to inadequate temporary supports and loose soil during construction, stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting safety protocols.”

He said that for the work on the Mehdipatnam skywalk, officials must use low-vibration piling, controlled excavation, and real-time monitoring. “Equally important is active coordination between all departments to ensure pier foundations remain uncompromised, preventing history from repeating itself. This will only be an issue if the foundation pillar is lower than the existing pillar,” Anchuri said.

He further reminded, “Inter-departmental collaboration is a must, as it’s a serious and vulnerable matter to avoid failure.”

The project manager added, “Initially, the plan was to dig to the same depth as the expressway pillar. During excavation, we found HMWS water pipelines, so we revised the design. The new pillar will be laid above the pipeline,” he said, adding that no vibrations would affect the expressway’s structure.

Many pedestrians expressed hope but also raised concerns about the prolonged construction. “Crossing here is risky when traffic is fast. This should make it safer,” said Anil Kumar, a daily commuter. A student added, “If it is finished soon, it will prevent the road from being so congested, but the work has been slow.”

A pushcart vendor near the bus stand said, “Without a proper bus shelter, people stand anywhere and cross in the middle of traffic. If the skywalk comes up, it will help keep the road clear.” A senior citizen waiting to cross noted, “It’s hard to move quickly when vehicles are fast. The skywalk could prevent that danger.”

- Mehdipatnam skywalk work will not affect structural stability of PVNR Expressway, officials say.

- Engineers have checked foundation details of the expressway since they were its original builders.

- Skywalk will have three lifts on both sides.

- A central median will be built on which the skywalk will be balanced.

- Road crossing will be closed with railings to prevent pedestrians.

- Road connects to the IT corridor, densely populated Attapur and Sun City, and is a route for district buses heading towards Vikarabad and Sangareddy.

- Once the skywalk is operational, pedestrian safety will improve, and vehicle speed is also expected to increase due to fewer interruptions, police said.