Hyderabad Witnesses Traffic After 4 Flyovers Opened For Commuters

On the 8th of May, the Telangana Government opened flyovers for travel in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.   The flyovers were closed for travel since the 24th of March, when the first lockdown was imposed in the State.

Out of 16 flyovers, only 4 flyovers, Tarnaka, Basheerbagh, Secunderabad and Paradise Cross Road were opened for commuters’ travel.

The Hyderabad police deployed a team of police personnel to conduct security checks and monitor the vehicular traffic at these flyovers.  

With the ease in the lockdown, Hyderabad witnessed traffic in many places. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on the 7th of May, issued orders allowing IT companies, agricultural sectors and construction activities with 33 % work force and staff indirectly permitted travel in the City.

As a result, the City is back in action with heavy traffic in areas like Gachibowli, Madhapur, Miyapur, Hitec City, Kukatpally,  Punjagutta, Begumpet and Paradise in Secunderabad.

Anil Kumar, the Additional Commissioner of  Traffic Police of Hyderabad said, “This order allows some sectors and businesses to function in the city with some relaxations. Thus, those working in them are being allowed to travel.”  

However, due to the allowed travel, many motorists are also coming out giving silly excuses and posing medical emergencies as reasons.  Mr. Kumar said, “Mostly vehicles of essential supplies, those belonging to emergency services only are allowed during the relaxation time. We also find motorists claiming medical emergencies and giving out other silly and illogical reasons.”

On the 8th of May, Hyderabad Traffic police registered 130 cases against individuals for violating lockdown, social distancing norms and traffic rules and seized more than 100 vehicles.

However, the commuters are allowed to travel through this flyovers only during day hours from 10:00 A.M., to 6:00 P.M., as the Telangana Government imposed curfew after 7:00 P.M., till 7:00 A.M.,

K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, announced an extension to the nation wide lockdown.  While the nation wide lockdown is proposed to end on the 17th of May, Telangana’s lockdown would end on the 29th of May.

The decision was taken to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the State.  As of the 9th of May, Telangana reported a total of 1,123 cases of the Novel Coronavirus with 29 fatalities.

Stay tuned for further updates.