HYDERABAD: In what could be claimed as first time in the country, 13 foot overbridges (FOB) planned to be constructed in the city to ease traffic congestion will have escalators. These FOBs form part of the first phase that covers arterial routes in the twin cities that have heavy traffic flow.

In all, 30 FOBs would be constructed in the next few years, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy informed the Assembly on Tuesday. "These FOBs will be models for others in the country," he remarked.

Serious concern

Dr. Reddy was reacting to serious concern expressed by city MLAs over the traffic problem and the hardships faced by commuters and pedestrians.

Malreddy Ranga Reddy (Congress) raised a question about non-use of subways at RTC crossroads and Koti. Municipal Administration Minister K. Ranga Rao said Rs. 9 crores would be spent on FOBs. The subways were functioning satisfactorily, he claimed.

The Chief Minister said, leading advertising agencies were roped in to construct the FOBs, which would cost some Rs. 1 crore each. He said Rs. 9,000 crores would be spent in the city to improve infrastructure for handling the ever-increasing population and decongesting traffic.

The metro rail project and the Outer Ring Road work would commence in six months.

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