---
title: "Secunderabad Road Widening Erases Decades of Local Commerce for New Transit Link"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/hyderabad-paradise-shamirpet-elevated-corridor-demolition-lothkunta-gw709
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: India
published: 2026-08-07T19:35:03.000Z
modified: 2026-08-07T23:00:31.799Z
language: en-IN
---

# Secunderabad Road Widening Erases Decades of Local Commerce for New Transit Link

The demolition of a half-kilometer commercial stretch in Lothkunta marks the initial phase of Hyderabad’s massive 18.1-km elevated corridor. While intended to resolve chronic congestion on Rajiv Rahadari, the project is dismantling long-standing community landmarks and local businesses.

## Key takeaways

- Construction has begun on an 18.1-km elevated corridor between Paradise Junction and Shamirpet to resolve Secunderabad's traffic congestion.
- A 500-meter commercial stretch in Lothkunta has been demolished, impacting businesses that operated for over two decades.
- The project includes an 11.6-km flyover, an underground tunnel near Hakimpet, and new service roads to maintain traffic flow during construction.
- Public offices, including the North Zonal RTA and local traffic police stations, are being relocated to accommodate the road widening.
- While the project aims to eliminate bottlenecks, traffic officials warn of potential high-speed safety risks once the corridor is operational.

## The Transformation of Rajiv Rahadari

A 500-meter section of Rajiv Rahadari in Lothkunta, once a vibrant hub of pharmacies, tea stalls, and general stores, has been reduced to debris. Earthmovers are currently clearing the site to facilitate the Paradise-Shamirpet elevated corridor, a major infrastructure undertaking designed to alleviate the severe traffic bottlenecks currently plaguing Secunderabad. For over twenty years, this area served as a social and commercial anchor for local residents and commuters alike.

## Project Scope and Engineering

The planned 18.1-km corridor is a significant expansion of State Highway-1. It will connect Paradise Junction to the Outer Ring Road near Shamirpet, passing through key areas including Alwal, Bolarum, and Thumkunta. The design features an 11.6-km six-lane elevated flyover, supplemented by service roads and a specialized underground tunnel section near the Hakimpet Air Force Station.

## Impact on Local Landmarks and Government Offices

The demolition reaches beyond private retail. Essential public infrastructure, including the Secunderabad North Zonal Regional Transport Authority and traffic police stations in Karkhana and Trimulgherry, are slated for relocation. Established businesses like Sri Laxmi Reddy Sweets, a fixture since 2003, and even modern facilities such as a three-year-old hospital at the Lothkunta Y-junction, have been cleared. Long-time residents, such as Sanjana A.G. and Avula Harish, note that the loss of these shops represents the disappearance of personal and cultural landmarks that defined the neighborhood for decades.

## Strategic Execution and Traffic Management

Trimulgherry Traffic ACP G. Shankar Raju indicates that the construction sequence is designed to maintain vehicle flow. Service roads will be finalized before the flyover and Metro alignment work commences. Because this State highway lacks viable diversion routes, these service roads are mandatory for handling the high traffic volume. Officials anticipate the project will take three to four years to reach completion. While the elevated route is expected to streamline travel between Patny and Shamirpet, authorities have raised concerns regarding potential speed-related accidents once the free-flowing carriageway opens.

## Key Facts

- The corridor spans 18.1 km, with 11.6 km consisting of a six-lane elevated structure.
- Land acquisition started in 2024, following compensation awards issued in March of the same year.
- The project includes a subterranean tunnel segment located near the Hakimpet Air Force Station.
- Total construction time for the Paradise-Shamirpet link is estimated at 36 to 48 months.
- Service roads must be completed prior to the main flyover and Metro construction to prevent total traffic gridlock.

Source: The Hindu — National

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/hyderabad-paradise-shamirpet-elevated-corridor-demolition-lothkunta-gw709
Reported from: The Hindu — National