To transform travel for lakhs of commuters heading towards Siddipet, Karimnagar, Peddapalli,  and Adilabad 

Vehicles can directly move from Paradise to Shamirpet without stopping at a single signal or facing any bottleneck

metro india news  I hyderabad

The long-pending dream of building the country’s longest elevated road corridor is now steadily turning into reality on Rajiv Rahadari, the crucial lifeline connecting Hyderabad and North Telangana. Stretching 18.1 km from Secunderabad Paradise to Shamirpet, this massive elevated corridor project has finally gained momentum after years of uncertainty.

It is set to transform travel for lakhs of commuters heading towards Siddipet, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jagtial and the erstwhile Adilabad districts. With land hurdles cleared and Defence land formally handed over, the state government is pushing hard to finish the project within the stipulated timeline, marking a significant milestone in Telangana’s infrastructure journey.

Rajiv Rahadari serves as a major arterial route linking the twin cities with key northern districts. However, its expansion into a seamless, high-speed corridor faced serious roadblocks for years, especially across Tirumalgherry, Alwal, Bolarum, Yapral, Hakimpet and Shamirpet. Even though the DPR for the elevated corridor was completed in 2015, work could not begin as 65 acres of crucial land belonged to the Defence Ministry had to approve.

This remained the single largest obstacle, delaying the project for nearly a decade. After prolonged consultations, Defence authorities finally agreed to transfer the required land when Chief Minister Revanth Reddy assured them of equivalent land in alternate locations. This agreement, signed in the presence of the CM, opened the doors for rapid progress on the corridor.

The project, estimated at Rs 2,232.89 crore, is being built under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode. Funding has been arranged through a loan from the New Development Bank. A total of 197.2 acres is needed for the complete project, including the 65 acres of Defence land now transferred. Key highlights of the design include an 11.65 km-long flyover and a 450-metre tunnel near the Hakimpet Air Force Station — a feature rarely seen in Indian urban infrastructure. Once completed, it will stand as India’s longest elevated road corridor, cementing Hyderabad’s position as a major infrastructural hub.

Currently, the Paradise–ORR stretch suffers from chronic congestion. Thousands of buses, heavy commercial vehicles, and lakhs of daily commuters crowd the route, contributing to long delays. Numerous traffic signals, commercial establishments, schools, colleges, residential colonies and office hubs on either side make the stretch highly vulnerable to jams, especially during peak hours. During rains, the situation worsens drastically, often leading to prolonged gridlocks. These delays severely affect travellers heading towards North Telangana districts, often pushing journey times far beyond normal.

Once operational, the elevated corridor is expected to dramatically change this situation. Vehicles travelling towards Siddipet, Karimnagar, Jagtial, Peddapalli and Adilabad can directly move from Paradise to Shamirpet without stopping at a single signal or facing any bottleneck. This seamless movement is projected to reduce travel time by nearly an hour. Those travelling to local colonies, institutions and businesses below the structure will also experience smoother traffic flow as congestion reduces significantly. For a region heavily dependent on Rajiv Rahadari, this project will serve as a true gateway, ensuring speed, safety and convenience.

More than just a flyover, this elevated corridor will stand as a major urban landmark. Built to international engineering standards under the supervision of HMDA, it is expected to elevate North Telangana’s development profile. The corridor is also anticipated to boost industrial growth by enhancing connectivity between Hyderabad and upcoming industrial pockets across northern districts. With better transport infrastructure, the stretch holds potential to evolve into a full-fledged industrial corridor over time, attracting investments and generating employment.

However, despite the rapid progress, several challenges remain. Few private landowners have approached the courts over compensation and property rights. Rehabilitation and resettlement measures must be carried out transparently and efficiently to avoid delays. Construction in Defence-sensitive zones requires extra caution and continuous coordination with military authorities. The state government must address these issues promptly to ensure that work does not slow down.

The political implications of the project are significant. If the elevated corridor is completed within the planned timeline, the credit will largely go to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress government. The CM personally intervened to resolve long-standing land issues, especially with the Defence Ministry. This makes the project a potential campaign asset for the Congress in the 2029 elections. North Telangana voters, who have long demanded better connectivity, view this project as a long-overdue upgrade. Timely completion can boost public confidence in the government’s administrative efficiency.

To achieve this, the government must focus on three crucial aspects: consistent monitoring, strict quality control and continuous technical oversight. Weekly and monthly targets must be reviewed without fail to ensure that work does not fall behind schedule. 

Quality monitoring teams should intensify their inspections, particularly on structural integrity, materials, and construction practices, to ensure that the corridor lasts for decades. From DPR planning to final execution, a dedicated high-level task force should supervise every technical aspect of the project. Without such vigilance, risks of future criticism or lapses cannot be ruled out.

If completed as envisioned, the Paradise–Shamirpet elevated corridor will stand as a signature achievement, offering world-class infrastructure and marking a new chapter in North Telangana’s development story. It will not only ease travel but also strengthen public faith in the government, making it both an engineering marvel and a symbol of progress.