Potholes appear on GG flyover, promise fails rain check
The newly inaugurated Ambedkar Bridge — commonly known as the GG Flyover — is already showing signs of structural distress, raising serious concerns about construction quality and official oversight just weeks after opening to the public.
The 2.74-kilometre, Rs154-crore flyover, which connects Gayatri Mandir to Ganesh Mandir and was intended to ease traffic near Rani Kamlapati Railway Station (RKMP), has developed cracks, suffered surface erosion, and experienced waterlogging and streetlight failures following the recent monsoon showers.
Commuters began complaining of a bumpy ride within a week of the flyover’s launch, prompting the Public Works Department (PWD) to hastily lay an additional layer of bitumen. But the problems have persisted. Sections of the road have come loose, rainwater accumulates in depressions, and lighting infrastructure continues to malfunction — affecting visibility and safety.
Though the bridge was billed as a five-minute bypass to reduce congestion, frequent repairs and visible deterioration have rendered it ineffective. It has yet to see a single day of uninterrupted operation since its inauguration.
These early signs of wear and tear on such a high-budget project have triggered mounting criticism from civil engineers, urban planners, and local residents alike. Public dissatisfaction is also being fuelled by the lack of accountability, with no agency yet held formally responsible for the lapses.
The Pioneer had earlier raised red flags about the bridge’s design and construction quality. At the time, some PWD officials were suspended for alleged negligence. Now, with the emergence of potholes and continuing defects, fresh questions are being asked: who is accountable for these failures — and will they face consequences?
Privately, some PWD officials admit the project was flawed from the outset, citing problems with both structural quality and traffic design. With more rain forecast, commuters fear conditions may worsen, further compromising safety. As public frustration grows, the GG Flyover — once meant to symbolise urban progress — is fast becoming a case study in infrastructural neglect.
