AT SNAIL'S PACE: Work in progress on a flyover at Jamia Osmania Railway Station in Hyderabad Photo: Satish H.

HYDERABAD: If newcomers to the city have never heard of an alternative road to Osmania University or Tarnaka through Adikmet, they are not to be blamed. Even those familiar with all roads in the capital have long forgotten about it, thanks to the long delay in completing the road overbridge at Jamia Osmania.

Though construction work on the ROB was revived recently after a change in contractor, it may not be ready for traffic until early next year.

Construction on the ROB was mooted to reduce traffic on the University road and because it was linked to the Uppal highway. Work began seven years ago but was abandoned two years later as disputes arose between the contractor and Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad.

Contractor's demand

The budgeted amount to start with was Rs.6 crores. The contractor sought revised prices because of escalation in steel and cement prices after work was started.

MCH refused and the project was almost abandoned after pillars had come up and huge pits were dug.

"For eight years, people in this area have been suffering. Business has been affected and property rates have come down. Already the work has changed hands several times. Even now we are not sure of its completion," sighs Satyanarayana, a resident.

While it did act tough with the first contractor, MCH officials later were not too sure on setting new terms for attracting the next contractor.

This caused more delays, they admit. Some locals put their foot down when the demand for widening service roads was made. With no private properties on the OU side, the bridge was completed on that side till the tracks.

`All sorted out'

"There was a dispute over alignment of the ROB by residents on either side and whose properties would be affected. There were obstacles in the form of a graveyard and a religious structure.

But we sorted them out," explains B. Jayarami Reddy, Vidyanagar corporator.

All this delayed the project. However, MCH officials insist that the work will be completed on schedule this time.

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