The slow progress of stormwater drain construction in Hyderabad’s busy Lakdikapul area has thrown daily traffic into disarray, frustrating over 3.5 lakh commuters who pass through the junction each day. For the past couple of months, large portions of the main road have been blocked off for civil works, narrowing the lanes and creating long queues of vehicles, especially during peak hours. Traffic from Khairatabad towards Assembly, Nampally, and Abids slows to a crawl, while vehicles from Secretariat towards Mehdipatnam and Khairatabad face similar bottlenecks. Gravel and uneven road surfaces near the Lakdikapul Metro Station add to the inconvenience, making driving conditions both slow and uncomfortable.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) launched the Rs 1.3 crore stormwater drain project to tackle recurring waterlogging problems during monsoon. The plan covers both sides of the main junction near the Metro Station, a key spot lined with hotels, banks, hospitals, and commercial outlets. However, the sluggish pace of work has irked commuters, many of whom feel the project should have been completed before the onset of rains. With 60% of the main stretch blocked, the area has become a daily choke point, disrupting public and private transport, including those trying to access the Lakdikapul Metro Station.

Officials maintain that the work is nearly done and will soon bring relief. K. Venkata Narayana, Executive Engineer of GHMC’s Khairatabad circle, stated that the project is in its final stages and should be completed within a couple of weeks. Until then, motorists will have to navigate narrowed lanes, slow-moving traffic, and construction debris. The situation has sparked calls from residents and regular commuters for better planning and faster execution of civic works in such high-density traffic zones.