AAI clears 600-metre underpass under Begumpet runway for elevated corridor project

Hyderabad: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved a 600-metre, six-lane underpass beneath the Begumpet airport runway, clearing a key hurdle for the proposed elevated corridor project, a Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) official said.

What is the project?

The underpass forms part of the 5.4-km elevated corridor from Paradise Junction to Military Dairy Farm Road on NH-44.

The corridor will pass through Secunderabad, Tadbund and Bowenpally before terminating at Dairy Farm Road. The underpass has been planned as an elevated structure is not feasible on or near the airport runway, and to avoid a sharp turn in Tadbund.

“The major hurdle to the proposed construction of the elevated corridor has been cleared as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently granted approval,” the HMDA official said.

42 acres of defence land to be used

Land acquisition for the corridor involves 42 acres of defence land and 13 acres of private land, with work underway.

The HMDA is executing two elevated corridors — Paradise Junction-Shamirpet and Paradise Junction-Dairy Farm Road — with the Begumpet airport underpass forming part of the latter. Together, the projects require 114 acres of defence land and 78 acres of private land.

Airport Authority of India has verbally approved for an underground tunnel from Begumpet Airport.