Durgam Cheruvu Bridge
{{short description|Extradosed bridge in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox Bridge
| bridge_name = Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge
| image = Long Exposure of Cable bridge on Durgam Cheruvu.jpg
| caption = Long exposure shot of the bridge
| carries = 6 lanes (3 lanes each way), pedestrians and bicycles
| crosses = Durgam Cheruvu
| design = Cable-stayed bridge
| length = {{convert|233|m}}
| width =
| height = {{convert|50|m}}
| below =
| open = {{start date and age|25 September 2020}}
| closed =
}}
The Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge is an extradosed bridge in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The bridge is located near Inorbit Mall at Madhapur.{{cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/inorbit-mall-adds-a-virtual-layer|title=Inorbit Mall adds a virtual layer}} The bridge connects Jubilee Hills with HITEC City and eases traffic congestion to Madhapur across Durgam Cheruvu.{{Cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/durgam-cheruvu-bridge-hits-quick-milestones|title=Durgam Cheruvu bridge hits 'quick' milestones|first1=AuthorS|last1=S|first2=eep|last2=Kumar|website=Telangana Today}}{{Cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/load-test-conducted-at-hyderabads-durgam-cheruvu-cable-bridge|title=Load test conducted at Hyderabad's Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge|website=Telangana Today}} The bridge is supported by two 50-meter-tall towers, each with 13 pairs of steel cables connecting the tower to the bridge deck.{{Cite web |last=M. |first=P. |date=2024-02-24 |title=All You Need to Know About the Iconic Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge: 7 Fascinating Facts |url=https://www.properties.market/in/blog/know-about-durgam-cheruvu-bridge-in-hyderabad/?srsltid=AfmBOopM7BLCopmYFkqJi-AduxsWzwRXRfZ8hvfz1pMlrBxhGsdJMjVS |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en-US}}
File:Cable Bridge view from Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Open University Hyderabad Telangana.jpg behind the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge, as seen from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University]]
Background
The city experienced a boom in traffic due to the increasing number of cars owned, and the Jubilee Hills to Madhapur commute, which historically took 30 minutes, began to take 40–60 minutes. The Government of Telangana then put forward a proposal of a bridge through Durgam Cheruvu to ease traffic in the area and cut down travel time to 10 minutes.{{Cite web|title=Hyderabad's Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge witnesses another milestone|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/nov/17/hyderabads-durgam-cheruvu-cable-bridge-witnesses-another-milestone-2062942.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}
Structure
The bridge is situated adjacent to Inorbit Mall, carrying six lanes of vehicular traffic along with 1.8 m‑wide pedestrian footpaths on both sides. Its main span measures 233.85 m, claimed to be the world’s longest precast segmental concrete span for an extradosed bridge, with a total cable‑stayed portion of 426 m including approach spans. Two 50 m‑tall pylons, each anchored by 13 pairs of high‑tensile steel stay‑cables, support the deck. The overall width is 25.8 m, accommodating six traffic lanes and footpaths. The bridge costs around ₹184 crore for the bridge structure, combined cost with the adjacent four‑lane elevated corridor is ₹334 crore. It was constructed with 26,600 m³ of concrete, 4,800 MT of structural steel, 420 MT of high‑tensile strands and 287 MT of stay‑cables.{{Cite news |date=2020-09-25 |title=Durgam Cheruvu bridge inaugurated |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/durgam-cheruvu-bridge-inaugurated/article32699230.ece |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Approach ramps are of 309.8 m total length, with ramps connecting to Road No. 45 and the flyover to Mindspace Junction.{{Cite news |title=Durgam Cheruvu bridge, Hyderabad’s new engineering marvel set to be unveiled |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/durgam-cheruvu-bridge-hyderabads-new-engineering-marvel-set-to-be-unveiled/articleshow/78054471.cms |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Construction
According to the original plan, the bridge was supposed to have 3-5 pillars holding the road but due to some environmental concerns, the government was forced to settle for a cable-suspension bridge with 2 pillars holding the cables. Construction tenders were opened in early 2019 and L&T (Larson and Toubro) ended up winning the contract and the construction began on 9 March 2019.
The bridge was supposed to be completed in April/May 2020 and opening in June 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, construction finished in August with opening set to be done by Telangana Minister K. T. Rama Rao and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Government of India G. Kishan Reddy on 25 September.
The bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Hyderabad.{{Cite web|title=Cable stay erection begins at Durgam Cheruvu|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/mar/09/cable-stay-erection-begins-at-durgam-cheruvu-1948770.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web|last=S|first=AuthorS|last2=Kumar|first2=eep|title=Durgam Cheruvu Cable bridge launch: Countdown begins|url=https://telanganatoday.com/durgam-cheruvu-cable-bridge-launch-countdown-begins|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Hyderabad's Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge witnesses another milestone|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/nov/17/hyderabads-durgam-cheruvu-cable-bridge-witnesses-another-milestone-2062942.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}
Notable events
Due to its distinctive design, prominent location, and scenic surroundings, the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge is frequently used as a venue for various events and public performances.
= Inorbit Durgam Cheruvu Run (IDCR) =
The Inorbit Durgam Cheruvu Run (IDCR) is an annual run conducted in Hyderabad since 2021. It was first held on 24 January 2021, with a 10K run starting from Inorbit Mall at the foot of the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge and covered a distance of 10km towards Jubilee Hills and KBR Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-huge-crowds-take-part-in-runs-at-cable-bridge-668454|title=Hyderabad: Huge crowds take part in runs at cable bridge}} The 2023 edition of the run expanded to include 5K, 10K, and 21K races.{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Newsmeter |date=2023-01-28 |title=Durgam Cheruvu Run 2023: Take note of these traffic diversions on 29 Jan |url=https://newsmeter.in/hyderabad/durgam-cheruvu-run-2023-take-note-of-these-traffic-diversions-on-29-jan-707234 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=newsmeter.in |language=en}}
= Formula E Gen2 Car Unveiling =
On 11 February 2023, Hyderabad hosted the 2023 Hyderabad ePrix which was one of the rounds of the Formula E World Championship, the highest class of competition for electrically powered single-seater racing cars.{{Cite web |title=First Formula E world championship to be held in Hyderabad next year; 100-day countdown starts |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/first-formula-e-world-championship-in-hyderabad-next-year-countdown-starts-9452601.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221104175532/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/first-formula-e-world-championship-in-hyderabad-next-year-countdown-starts-9452601.html |archive-date=2022-11-04 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en-US}} Prior to the start of the 2022–23 Formula E season, the new Gen2 Formula E car was unveiled at the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge on 25 September 2022.{{Cite web |last=Tomar |first=Ajay |date=2022-09-26 |title=Generation 2 Formula E car showcased at Durgam Cheruvu bridge in Hyderabad |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/videos/generation-2-formula-e-car-showcased-at-durgam-cheruvu-bridge-in-hyderabad/#:~:text=Home%20%C2%BB%20Videos-,Generation%202%20Formula%20E%20car%20showcased%20at%20Durgam%20Cheruvu%20bridge,introduced%20in%20the%20Hyderabad%20Prix.&text=An%20error%20occurred.,the%20city%20and%20the%20country. |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The South First |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-25 |title=Hyderabad: Formula E car unveiled on Durgam Cheruvu Bridge |url=https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad-formula-e-car-unveiled-on-durgam-cheruvu-bridge-2420254/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en}}
As a Tourist Place
Since its opening Durgam cheruvu bridge has been a major tourist attraction. Many Telugu film scenes were shot in this location.visitors can also enjoy the Floating Restaurant, which is another attractive spot at the cable bridge. The musical fountains at the Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge are also opened.
See also
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{Hyderabad topics}}
{{coord|17.4317|78.3900|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}}