K T Rama Rao inaugurates the skywalk at Uppal on Monday

The skyway over the busy Uppal crossroads, at a cost of Rs 25-crore, was opened for pedestrians on Monday, providing them a safe alternative while crossing the ever-busy roads and making driving easier.

The Uppal crossroads, formed by intersecting two major arterial roads, NH 163 and the Inner Ring Road (ORR), is almost like a gateway to the city.

About 435 bus services head to destinations outside Hyderabad, carrying more than 30,000 passengers and the Uppal metro station caters to about 25,000 commuters each day. The commuters, and pedestrians, were at perennial risk while crossing the roads at the intersection.

The skywalk is a loop-type centrally



supported walkway and is 660 metres long. It is three to four metres wide and bulges up to six metres at a few spots. It is at an overall height of 9.25 m. The access is via six ‘hop on’ stations with eight lifts, six staircases and four escalators.

The entry and exits are located near the Metro station towards Nagole; Ramanthapur road (KV Corner); within GHMC theme park; Warangal bus stop (near GHMC Office); police station and MRO office and opposite the electrical sub-station.

MA&UD minister K.T. Rama Rao inaugurated the skywalk as also convention hall at the Uppal Shilparamam, built by HMDA at a cost of Rs 10 crore.