Why lessons from Hyderabad’s KBR faux pas must inform our future
The Hyderabad government has cancelled a major infrastructure project involving flyovers and underpasses near KBR National Park after significant environmental damage had already occurred. The decision follows public criticism regarding the city's poor urban planning and lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Why it matters
It highlights the disconnect between urban policymakers and citizens, and the long-term environmental and financial costs of poorly planned infrastructure projects.
About two months ago, Special Chief Secretary, Metropolitan Administration & Urban Development Jayesh Ranjan and Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation R.V. Karnan had to field a few uncomfortable questions from a group of students and working professionals at a panel discussion on urban mobility, traffic congestion and city liveability.
Some of the questions were about the vertically spiralling city set against collapsing road infrastructure, under pressure from an explosion in private vehicles. Others were about the virtual absence of public transport and the increasingly restricted options for pedestrian movement. Both bureaucrats fumbled for answers.
The exchange exposed how detached the Government and its policymakers are from the reality millions face daily, working, travelling and struggling to get by in the city.
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