Hyderabad’s skyline is all set to change with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) approving what could be among the city’s taller skyscrapers. Officials gave the nod to Sumadhura Group’s 45-story residential apartment complex in the Financial District at Nanakramguda. The new structure will be 152 meters (501 feet) tall.

Sources in GHMC told TOI that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Two applications by builders to construct 55-story high-rises in Pupalaguda and Narsingi near the IT corridor were put on hold by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) officials recently. Sources said the authorities want to be doubly sure that such tall structures don’t lead to more traffic chaos in the already congested part of the city.

GHMC records reveal that more tall buildings are underway. In 2021 till February 6, authorities had received 10 building permission applications for high-rises, eight of which have already been cleared. Most of these are about 25 floors high. Nanakramguda (Gachibowli), Miyapur and Khajaguda are some of the places where these buildings are coming up. In 2020, 95 permissions for high-rise buildings were given.

Located adjacent to Waverock (special economic zone), the twin towers with 44 floors each are coming on 5.5 acre (2.2 hectare) land. “The project has just started, there are 846 flats in the two towers,” said an executive of Sumadhura Group.

“A Study pertaining to traffic congestion is done in detail when an application is received.”

Traffic assessment reports from empaneled agencies should be produced by builders. Traffic density should not be compromised especially in greenfield satellite townships in Kokapet and Tellapur,” said municipal administration and urban development (MAUD) principal secretary, Arvind Kumar.

According to GHMC officials traffic assessment was given priority while granting the permission to the tallest building. “The assessment was thoroughly checked while granting permission by GHMC apart from following the routine procedures,” said RP Naik, additional chief city planner, GHMC.

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