LONG WAIT: With works progressing briskly, the road over bridge at Sitaphalmandi is likely to take a final shape soon. — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Hyderabad: After years of delay, the Road Over Bridge (RoB) at Sitaphalmandi may finally see the light of day by December this year as the works on the much-awaited bridge are being taken up at a brisk pace.

"As the process of land acquisition has concluded, we will complete the pending works by this year end," GHMC Executive Engineer B. N. Rajeshwar said.

Columns and pier cabs have been laid and rest of the works will be taken-up on cast-in-situ process where in the cement blocks and steel moulding will be done at the construction site.

Agreement

In a pact, South Central Railway (SCR) and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation started the works in July 2005 with a cost of Rs. 9 crore. According to the pact, works were to be completed in a year from the date of commencement.

The SCR has completed its share of work by constructing the RoB portion above the track near Sitaphalmandi railway station with an estimated cost of over Rs.2 crore within the stipulated time. Rest of the RoB portion to be constructed by the corporation was suspended in March 2006 with the NBCC Constructions withdrawing from the project due to land acquisition problems.

Property hassles

Works resumed in September 2006 with Karimnagar-based Manikanta Constructions bagging the project but property hassles led to the long-delay, said Mr. Rajeshwar.

Commuters, residents and shop-owners at Sitaphalamandi have been awaiting the completion of the bridge impatiently. Not only do they have to face difficulty in passing along Warasiguda road and Secunderabad station road, but also have to live amidst clouds of dust that settle here.

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