How Formula E race track is changing Tank Bund

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is all set to host the Formula E race early next year and the race track is being completed on a war footing. But before the big event, the city will host the first and final rounds of the Indian Racing League (IRL) scheduled for 19 and 20 November and 10 and 11 December. These races are being seen as a trial run before the Formula E race on 10-11 February 2023.

Newsmeter went to the ground to see the changing face of Tank Bund, where the race track is coming up, ahead of the races.

The 2.37km race track will start opposite NTR Gardens and will pass through NTR Marg, IMAX road, and around the secretariat complex, completing the loop at the starting point.

A lot of changes are being made in the area for the construction of the track. A seating area for spectators is also being built on the opposite side of the track.

The central median is being rebuilt by replacing old concrete blocks with new ones. The trees on the median have been translocated to Necklace Road.

Faced with criticism about the decreasing green cover, the state government responded, "Ensuring a minimum track width of 12 meters required removal of 600 mts road median on the circle from PVNR Marg (from Indira Gandhi statue) towards Telugu Talli flyover. The route and curves have been modified thrice to minimise tree translocations, especially the large trees."

Ensuring a minimum track width of 12 meters required removal of 600 mts road median on the circle from PVNR Marg (from Indira Gandhi Statue) towards Telugu Talli Flyover. The route and curves have been modified thrice to minimize tree translocations, especially the large trees.

— Telangana Digital Media Wing (@DigitalMediaTS) November 8, 2022

The foot-over bridge at NTR Marg has been dismantled in preparation for the big event.

The lighting and electric works along the road are also being completed.

Construction works affecting livelihood

We spoke to street vendors at NTR Marg and asked them if the construction work and related road closures have affected them. They said it had to some extent.

"Due to the increased chances of traffic jams, people do not prefer to wait and buy something. Also, dust from the construction sites have affected sales as people are worried about hygiene," said Parvathamma who manages a sugarcane stall near the NTR memorial.

Ramesh, who runs a lemon soda stall, said he has heard that the road might be closed for a few days and is afraid he might lose his earnings. "We are hoping the closure is for a few days only," he added.

When spoke to another snack stall owner who said, "As the work is being done at a great speed, it is not as bad as we feared."

Race for a better, cleaner future

Unlike Formula One, which needs a specific track, Formula E races take place on regular roads. The roads are chosen based on how smooth they are and how many curves or turns they have. The selected circuit has 17 turns.

The competition was founded with the mission to "race through the streets of the most iconic cities in the world, to show just what sustainable mobility was capable of, driving electric vehicles to the fore in the race for a better, cleaner future."

The Formula E race will help place the city on a global map. It will also help the Telangana government's policy on electric vehicles (EVs) to encourage people in the state to use, own, and make EVs. The government also said that charging stations and other related infrastructure would be set up as part of the policy released in October 2020.