Hyderabad | Skywalks from Balanagar, LB Nagar Metro Stations under construction; Companies in talks to build more

Skywalks linking Hyderabad Metro stations with nearby complexes to enhance urban mobility in Hyderabad were encouraged

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMR) and L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) have expressed their readiness to link existing metro rail stations with any of the nearby commercial or apartment complexes in the twin cities with the help of a skywalks as part of the plan to improve urban mobility.

Currently, a skywalk from Dr. Ambedkar Balanagar Metro Station to the Phoenix/Landmark Mall nearby is under construction. Similarly, Vasavi Group is constructing a skywalk from LB Nagar Station to the Vasavi Anandanilayam complex nearby where 12 towers with 33 floors each are being constructed, spread over 25 acres.

This skywalk will be a boon for many families who will be living there. A few other companies are also in talks to construct such skywalks from several metro stations like Nagole, Stadium, Durgam Cheruvu, Kukatpally, said L&T Metro MD K.V.B. Reddy on Monday.

At a ‘Comprehensive Mobility Planning’ meeting held two days ago by HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy and HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed, it was decided to promote the construction of skywalks from the metro stations to commercial and residential complexes located nearby, said an official release.

Mr.N.V.S. Reddy said the government intends to strengthen the public transport system to reduce the number of private vehicles as a partial solution to the complex traffic problems in Hyderabad city and to reduce air pollution. L&T has already built skywalks from Punjagutta, Hitec City and Erramanzil metro stations to their malls to facilitate metro passengers to reach these commercial complexes directly, he pointed out.

Skywalks have also been built connecting Jubilee Bus Station and Parade Ground stations, so that passengers do not have to cross the road below. Raheja has built another skywalk with many facilities from Raidurg Metro station to provide easy access to the many offices located in the 11 towers of Raheja Mind Space Complex. HMDA’s walkway connecting with the Uppal Metro Station with all the roads around the junction has become useful for metro passengers and pedestrians, he said.

Mr. N.V.S. Reddy also appealed to people to make use of the 57 metro stations to cross the road by making use of the lifts, stairs and escalators as it is safe, free and convenient.