Gachibowli Junction: Pedestrian Peril Point

The junction beneath the Gachibowli flyover, adjacent to Sarath City Capital Mall, has become a hazardous area for pedestrians, particularly IT professionals commuting to nearby corporate offices. This busy four-way intersection is notably deficient in critical pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including zebra crossings, dedicated pedestrian signals, and clear lane markings. Consequently, individuals are compelled to rely on risky manual gestures and dart across the road amidst fast-moving vehicles to reach destinations like the mall or the Hitec City bus station.

Commuters describe harrowing experiences, with many reporting near-misses due to drivers' excessive speed and disregard for pedestrian safety. The waiting times at the junction during peak hours can extend beyond fifteen minutes, creating significant inconvenience and danger. Road safety experts point to engineering flaws in the flyover's design and alignment, which contribute to blind spots for both drivers and pedestrians, exacerbating accident risks. A fatality was reported at this junction last year, underscoring the severity of the safety concerns.

Authorities are exploring solutions, with plans to install a skywalk directly linking the mall to the botanical garden. Given the existing flyover, a conventional foot overbridge was deemed impractical. A detailed project report for the skywalk has been prepared, and upon feasibility approval, tenders will be issued. This initiative aims to mitigate the present dangers and provide a safer passage for pedestrians in this high-risk zone.