Hyderabad’s long-awaited Mehdipatnam skywalk is now over 90% complete and is expected to become operational by March 2026, HMDA officials confirmed. The steel-and-glass pedestrian bridge, stretching 390 metres, aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest junctions.
The skywalk, which was a dream of former BRS MA&UD Minister K. T. Rama Rao, took a cue from the great success of the first skywalk in Hyderabad at Uppal. This is a skywalk designed for pedestrians to have a safer and quicker way of crossing the entire congested Mehdipatnam area.
Land Clearance Clears the Path for Completion
The undertaking met with a significant amount of delays caused by land acquisition problems. The continuous and intensive work of the BRS government, such as the several trips made by K. T. Rama Rao to New Delhi to have private talks with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, ultimately resulted in the authorization and transfer of an almost 3,380 square yards of military land. The land transfer was concluded the previous year, thereby enabling the project to proceed with its construction stage without any more obstacles.
What’s Completed and What’s Next
The main elevated skywalk connecting Humayun Nagar Police Station to Rythu Bazar, and from Gudi Malkapur junction to the Mehdipatnam bus bay, has already been finished. Work is expected to begin soon on a foot-over-bridge connecting Mehdipatnam Rythu Bazar to the bus bay near the Defence area, towards Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital.
HMDA has requested coordination with the city’s Traffic Wing to carry out the remaining work at night to minimize disruption to commuters. A specific area will be designated to deploy large hydraulic equipment required for the final construction phase.
Features and Facilities
The skywalk will have five entry and exit points located at:
- Rythu Bazar
- Defence compound wall (Military Garrison)
- Mehdipatnam bus bay
- Near Humayun Nagar Police Station
- Gudimalkapur Junction
At a height of 6.15 metres above ground, the skywalk will enable the pedestrians to cross comfortably and effortlessly over the heavy road traffic below. The project is expected to be a daily facility for about 30,000 walkers.
Initially, the project was budgeted to cost around Rs 38 crore with May 2025 as the expected completion date. Nevertheless, the new deadline was set for March 2026 because of the delays in land clearance.
Amenities for Commuters
Designed as more than just a transit route, the skywalk will include:
- 13 elevators
- Two intermediate tunnel walkways
- Coffee shops and lounge snack areas
- LED strip lighting along the arch, cables, and walkways
- Special elevator chairs for differently-abled commuters
The Mehdipatnam skyline will now have a unique feature due to the structure’s glass-and-steel design along with illuminated walkways which will give a new modern look to the entire area.
The finished project will be a great welcome to Hyderabad’s infrastructure that will bring about safe pedestrian circulation and smooth traffic flow in a vital urban corridor.
