The Durgam Cheruvu Bridge in Hyderabad was opened for public use on September 25, 2020. Constructed under Telangana’s Strategic Road Development Plan, this cable bridge, characterised by its shallow-angle external cables, has not only added to the existing beauty of Hyderabad but also cut down travel time between key nodes of the city, benefitting Hyderabad’s working population employed in key IT hubs. The cable-stayed bridge spans the Durgam Cheruvu Lake, linking Jubilee Hills with Madhapur. It is a well-liked tourist destination in the city and is renowned for its beautiful design.
Durgam Cheruvu Bridge opening
Built by construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L& T) across the Durgam Cheruvu Lake in Hitech City, the 435-metre- long and 25.8-metre-wide bridge was inaugurated by Telangana’s minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, KT Rama Rao, in September 2020. The Durgam Cheruvu bridge opening ceremony took place amid dazzling fireworks. Note that L&T hired New Jersey-headquartered Louis Berger group, to provide an independent design review of the bridge. At the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge inauguration, the minister termed it as another jewel in the ‘city of pearls’.
See also: All you need to know about the Regional Ring Road in Hyderabad
Durgam Cheruvu Bridge construction
Touted to have the world’s longest precast segmental span of 233.85 metres in concrete for a cable-stay bridge, the Durgam Cheruvu hanging bridge was constructed using 6,600 cubic metres of concrete, 4,800 tonnes of steel and 287 tonnes of stay-cables. Barring the cables, which were sourced from Germany, all the other construction material was locally procured under the government’s Make in India programme.
“We have constructed it, despite the extremely challenging conditions and difficult terrain that we encountered and are happy that we could deliver the project in time even during these unprecedented times of the pandemic,” said SV Desai, whole-time director and senior executive vice-president (civil infrastructure), Larsen & Toubro.
The bridge has a two-lane carriageway and sidewalks on each side of the divided carriageway.
Durgam Cheruvu Bridge: Project cost
An engineering marvel, the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge, also billed as the world’s longest span concrete deck cable-stayed bridge, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 184 crore.
Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge Hyderabad: Features
Located in Jubilee Hills, one of Hyderabad’s busiest commercial and residential neighbourhoods, the Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge was built to reduce traffic congestion. It was created by Ahmedabad-based architecture and urban planning company HCP Design, Planning and Management. The construction of the bridge started in 2017 and lasted till 2020.
The bridge is 25 metre wide and 230 metre long. It features two towers, each of which rises 50 metre above the ground. A network of cables that connect the towers to the bridge’s deck provides the support that is required. A network of steel wires that are attached to the towers supports the reinforced concrete bridge deck.
Unique in its design, the Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge combines form and utility. The bridge’s sleek forms and graceful curves make it visually appealing. The environmental impact of the bridge is also taken into account in its design. The bridge’s construction emphasises the use of environmentally friendly materials and techniques in order to reduce negative environmental effects.
One of the cable bridge’s most distinctive features is its lighting system. A sequence of LED lights is used to illuminate the bridge at night, producing an amazing visual effect. These lights are programmed to change colours every night. Moreover, the bridge offers incredible views of the Durgam Cheruvu Lake and the surrounding hills,making it popular among tourists and photography enthusiasts.
The Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge has enhanced the transportation system in the Jubilee Hills. By reducing the travel time between Jubilee Hills and Madhapur, the bridge has smoothened the traffic flow between these two destinations. This has also made the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge Hyderabad: How to reach?
By air: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is located about 35 km from the bridge.
By rail: The Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station is 13 km from the bridge.
By road: The Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge has excellent road access and is easily reachable by bus or taxi from anywhere in Hyderabad.
How Durgam Cheruvu Bridge has impacted traffic movement?
Apart from reducing the commuting time from Jubilee Hills to Madhapur from 30 to 10 minutes, the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge has cut the distance from Mind Space to Jubilee Hills by two kms, thereby, reducing the commuting time between the two spots by 20 minutes. A four-lane elevated corridor also facilitates traffic from Road No 45 up to the bridge. Prior to the construction of the bridge, the average time taken to reach the IT Junction from Jubilee Hills Road No 45 was 25 to 30 minutes. Now, it takes only 10 minutes to cover the distance.
See also: Top 5 localities to invest in Hyderabad
Durgam Cheruvu bridge: The selfie-point
After the bridge, with its picturesque location and highly attractive architectural lighting (it has 25 different themes of multi-coloured lighting) started to turn into a self-point for travelers, the Cyberabad Traffic Police, which monitors the cable-stayed bridge remotely in real-time, has imposed a penalty on such activities. Before that, the highest number of traffic violations over the bridge were reported over stoppage by motorists to take pictures and selfies.
In August 2021, in fact, three youths were booked for allegedly stopping on the Durgam Cheruvu bridge for birthday celebrations. An act of ‘nuisance’ was captured on CCTV cameras, the Madhapur police said. A case was registered against the three people under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including one related to negligence, the police added.
The Cyberabad Traffic Police have issued several guidelines, under which it has prohibited walking on the main carriageway when there is vehicular movement. Crossing the road on the bridge, standing or sitting on the road or against the side railings are also prohibited and so are stoppages or parking of vehicles. The same is true of any gatherings, too.
Also read all about the Ram Setu between India and Sri Lanka
FAQs
Where is Durgam Cheruvu bridge?
The Durgam Cheruvu bridge in Hyderabad is at Madhapur and connects Jubilee Hills with the Financial District.
When was Durgam Cheruvu bridge inaugurated?
The Durgam Cheruvu bridge was opened to traffic on September 25, 2020.
An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
[email protected]
Related Posts
Gandhi Nagar property market: An overview.
Chandanagar property market : An overview.
KPHB property market: An overview.
Despite IT layoffs, Hyderabad’s property market to see strong demand.
Stamp duty, registration charges Hyderabad, Telangana.
TS-iPASS: All about Telangana’s self-certification system for industries.
