‘Every flyover creates demand for four more’: Experts seek rethink of Hyderabad’s traffic model

Hyderabad's growing traffic woes have sparked calls for a radical overhaul of the city’s transportation strategy, with experts urging the Telangana government to halt new flyover and road expansion projects. Instead, they advocate for a focus on redesigning existing roads to prioritize public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists. These proposals emerged during a citizens' roundtable discussion titled “Choked: How Do We Move People, Not Cars” held at Goethe Zentrum in Hyderabad on Saturday, August 22. The event brought together urban transport specialists, activists, and citizens who argue that current infrastructure strategies are exacerbating congestion rather than solving it. At the heart of the debate is the argument that flyovers, far from alleviating traffic, merely displace congestion to other parts of the city. Prashanth Bachu, an urban transport expert, stated that each flyover constructed tends to generate the need for four additional ones. He warned that if Hyderabad continues down this path, the city could end up requiring hundreds of such structures. His comments were supported by historical examples from cities like Singapore and New York, where road networks have been reimagined to create public spaces and enhance mobility. Bachu noted that Hyderabad’s own Comprehensive Transportation Study from 2013 had suggested demolishing certain flyovers to free up space for public areas, yet these ideas have largely faded from public discourse. The roundtable also revealed alarming statistics about the city's reliance on private vehicles. Aditya from Move Hyderabad cited data showing that Hyderabad has approximately 65 lakh two-wheelers and 16 lakh cars, with private vehicles making up nearly 90% of the total number of vehicles on the city’s roads. Despite having a 900-km main road network, the city currently serves about 2.81 lakh vehicles daily, with vehicle density increasing by 40% since 2019. This surge in private transport has led to a dramatic decline in the share of public transport in the city’s overall mobility mix. In 2011, buses accounted for about 42% of all trips in Hyderabad, while cars contributed just 4%. By 2024, the situation had reversed dramatically, with buses now representing only 25% of trips, cars rising to 16%, and two-wheelers surpassing 45%. Public rail systems, including the Metro and MMTS (Metropolitan Rapid Transit System), accounted for a mere 3% of travel, with MMTS ridership experiencing a sharp decline. The participants emphasized that this shift toward private vehicles cannot be countered solely by expanding road infrastructure. Instead, the group proposed a multifaceted approach that includes policy reforms aimed at making public transport more appealing and reducing the convenience of private car usage. On the rail front, they urged the restoration of MMTS services to their 2019 levels, noting that the system has untapped capacity to serve more passengers. They also stressed the importance of improving station accessibility and integrating MMTS with the Metro and bus networks to create seamless connections for commuters. The discussions took place amid ongoing construction work on the KBR Park corridor, where a continuous one-way traffic system is in effect. Police officers are actively managing traffic flow and guiding drivers, highlighting the immediate challenges faced by the city’s transportation authorities. The roundtable’s findings will be compiled into a formal submission to the Telangana government, aiming to influence future transportation planning decisions. Participants expressed frustration over the lack of progress in implementing alternative mobility solutions despite repeated warnings from experts. They called for greater transparency in decision-making processes and stronger political commitment to sustainable urban transport models. As Hyderabad continues to grow, the urgency for a comprehensive reassessment of its traffic management strategies becomes increasingly apparent.