Trial run of one-way traffic around KBR Park shows promise, flags gaps

A two-hour experimental one-way traffic system around the 390-acre Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) national park on Sunday offered a glimpse into how Hyderabad’s ambitious Hyderabad City Innovative & Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) project could reshape movement in one of city’s busiest corridors. Traffic police officials identified a few issues that must be addressed before a full rollout.

The trial, conducted between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. across a stretch covering KBR Main Gate, Basavatarakam Hospital, Agrasen Junction, Film Nagar and up to Jubilee Hills Check Post, comes amid ongoing construction of a steel flyover and underpass in the Banjara Hills–Jubilee Hills belt. The works have already altered traffic patterns in the area, prompting authorities to test alternative flow systems to minimise congestion.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar inspected the arrangements on the ground along with Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis, as teams monitored vehicular movement through the modified one-way loop.

According to Joel Davis, the operation was meticulously planned, with around 100 traffic marshals deployed and additional personnel stationed at key junctions. Signage indicating directions and guidance messages were installed along the route. Despite a complete shift from the regular traffic pattern, the system was executed on schedule, beginning and ending precisely as planned.

Vehicles ply under regulated movement during a trial run with all surrounding roads made strictly one-way around KBR National Park in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

He said that the trial went on smoothly overall, aided by the use of drones that captured aerial footage to identify pressure points along the corridor. The footage will now be analysed by the traffic police to pinpoint problem areas.

“Few friction points also emerged, particularly at junctions where motorists struggled with lane transitions. One of the key observations was a noticeable hesitation among drivers to move into the right lane,” explained the officer.

Among the proposed changes is the removal of portions of the central median at junctions like the one near LV Prasad Eye Hospital and Jubilee Hills check post to create gaps of a few metres, allowing smoother lane changes, especially for vehicles travelling from Jubilee Hills Check Post towards KBR Park.

Traffic volunteers hold placards to create awareness about the trial run enforcing a strict one-way system around KBR National Park in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

Commuters reported mixed experiences during the trial. “Traffic was moving faster than usual near Film Nagar, but I was confused about which lane to take at one junction,” said Y. Dheeraj, who travelled through the stretch during the trial. Another commuter, Bansari Trivedi, said, “It felt less congested overall, but the sudden change in directions took some time to get used to it.”

The trial was limited to Sunday, and normal traffic has been restored. A detailed report of the observations will be shared with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for further action.

Officials indicated that a second trial could be conducted within a fortnight after implementing the suggested changes, possibly extending the experiment for an entire day to better assess real-world conditions.