Hyderabad's Flyover Murals Reveal Managed Public Space Paradox

Under the GHMC's 'City Art Scape' initiative, Reshma Esther Thomas examines the flyover pillars in Hyderabad adorned with Cheriyal-style murals. While these artworks seem to enhance the city's aesthetics, they symbolize a cultural affirmation following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Thomas contends that perceiving public spaces solely in terms of spatial dimensions—such as area, zoning, and physical access—overlooks important aspects. The initiative transforms a space that previously belonged to marginalized groups into a bureaucratic entity. V.V. Kusum Priya further notes that if publicness is merely defined by legal access, then these areas were never genuinely public.