The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has approved the transfer of Defence land for elevated corridors/skyways under the Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP). This will allow for the construction of pending skyways on the North side to proceed quickly. The decision was made at a board meeting and the project will cover the Rajiv Rahadari State highway (SH-1) from Parade Grounds to Hakimpet Airport, as well as the National Highway -44 from Paradise Circle to Suchitra Junction.
After a joint survey, 157 acres of land has been identified. In 2016, the State government sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry, which granted in-principle approval for the transfer of 90.69 acres of defence land. However, the final work permission and survey number did not match. Recently, the government provided a clear proposal specifying the required land and also stating that the proposed stretch road will be widened to 60 metres instead of 30. Madhukar Naik, SCB CEO, explained that a joint survey has been conducted and the cost of the project plan has been worked out. The proposal includes 15.351 acres for State Highway-1 and 18.37 acres for the Medchal-Nagpur highway.
In terms of the properties affected by the project, lands belonging to SCB and private individuals will be involved. A total of 157 acres has been identified, with 32.91 acres belonging to SCB. The total cost of the land is Rs 329 crore. The SCB has requested the State government to compensate for an equal value of land to the SCB fund so that it can be used for development activities in the cantonment.
The proposal also states that certain old grant properties in Trimulgherry Bazaar, Kadakpura, Kharkana, Risala Bazaar, and even the Secunderabad Club area may be affected. Major pump houses and ground-level storage reservoirs in Balamrai and Bownepally will also be affected. The SCB has requested clarification from the State government regarding the restoration of the pump house before the project begins. Additionally, private lands in the Kharkana stretch may be affected, and compensation will be given accordingly. Separate board officers will be assigned to study this matter.
Overall, the approval of the transfer of Defence land for the elevated corridors/skyways is expected to resolve many traffic issues in SCB and strengthen road connectivity.
