The onset of the monsoon has delayed construction of the underpass at the busy IIIT junction in Gachibowli, pushing back one of the most disruptive phases of the ongoing multi-level flyover and underpass project and prolonging traffic woes for lakhs of commuters who use the corridor every day.

Authorities have decided to pause excavation works for the underpass for at least the next two months, citing the challenges of undertaking large-scale digging during the rainy season. The underpass, which will connect Indira Nagar and Gachibowli Stadium, requires excavation across a carriageway width of around 18 to 21 metres, a task officials say is not feasible during periods of heavy rainfall.

While the underpass works remain on hold, other construction activity has intensified across the stretch, with road widening, utility shifting and flyover works under way at multiple locations, continuing to constrain road space and add to commuter delays.

An estimated five lakh commuters pass through the IIIT junction every day. Official data indicates that nearly 2.6 lakh to 2.8 lakh vehicles travel daily between Lingampally and Gachibowli, while the ISB Road-DLF Road corridor carries an additional 2 lakh vehicles in both directions.

Gachibowli traffic police estimate peak-hour wait times at around 15 minutes, with motorists often waiting through multiple signal cycles. Several commuters, however, said delays can stretch up to 30 minutes, especially during rainfall when battered road surfaces and waterlogging slow traffic further.

Road widening underway

According to Gachibowli Traffic Inspector Gona Suresh, the boundary wall of IIIT Hyderabad has been pushed back to create an additional 2-2.5 lanes of road space. Duct-laying works on the stretch have already been completed, and installation of electrical cables, drainage infrastructure and other underground utilities will follow before the widened carriageway is surfaced and opened to traffic.

Similar widening measures are now under way along a 500 to 700-metre stretch extending towards the Gachibowli Stadium.

On the opposite side, the TCS campus boundary wall is also being shifted inward to create additional carriageway space alongside the relocation of the Gachibowli traffic police station, located roughly 250 metres away.

Once completed, the corridor will have five lanes in each direction, including two to two-and-a-half lanes passing through the underpass on either side.

Monsoon impact

The stretch between IIIT junction and the University of Hyderabad was among the city’s worst-affected traffic hotspots during the recent rains.

While underpass excavation remains on hold, works have accelerated on the level-1 bi-directional flyover connecting ISB Road and DLF Road and level-2 semi-circular flyovers linking DLF Road with Gachibowli Stadium and ISB Road with Indira Nagar.

The next major traffic impact is expected on DLF Road, where a 300 to 400-metre stretch between the DLF main gate and the Gachibowli traffic police station will be closed in the coming weeks to facilitate construction of a stormwater drain and a large double-decker pillar that will support both flyover levels.

“Because girder launching requires extensive working space and heavy machinery, contractors will need access to the full width of the road during portions of the construction period. Employees of nearby IT campuses, including TCS, have already been informed and traffic restrictions will be announced shortly,” Mr Suresh said.