The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has zeroed in on six junctions in the city where pedestrian facilities need to be strengthened on priority basis.

Feasibility for either foot over-bridges or sky-walks is being explored at the locations, before the structures are taken up, officials informed. The locations include Afzalgunj junction, Lakdikapul Junction towards AC Guards, BHEL Junction, JNTU Junction, Madina Junction, and Miyapur T Junction.

On Wednesday, October 22, Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority has published a request for proposals, inviting consultancy services for preparation of a detailed project report for a pedestrian sky-walk at JNTU-Hyderabad junction.

JNTU is a prime location and a dynamic hub of educational institutions, commercial complexes and transit facilities, and it experiences high pedestrian and vehicular interaction, the RFP document said. The location witnesses consistently high footfall, especially during peak hours, leading to frequent congestion and a concerning number of pedestrian-related accidents.

The proposed sky-walk aims to provide seamless, grade-separated connectivity, enhance commuter safety, reduce pedestrian vehicular conflicts and promote a walkable, accessible urban environment, the document said.

JNTU is one among the 20 locations arrived at through a study commissioned from Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad about locations that are desperately in need of pedestrian facilities. Preliminary report by the institution identified these locations, from which the six junctions have been accorded highest priority.

HMDA had started construction of two sky-walks on pilot basis respectively at Uppal and Mehdipatnam in 2020, and launched the one at Uppal in 2023. The sky-walk at Mehdipatnam has run into problems due to the issue with the acquisition of Defence lands, which, officials say, has been sorted out paving way for completion of the project.

Though there had been a proposal for eight sky-walks at various junctions across the city to be taken up after the pilot projects, it has been shelved after change of regime.

HMDA prioritises six locations for construction of sky-walks based on IIT-Hyderabad study