Traffic curbs and congestion likely during Sankranti travel rush

The Hyderabad Traffic Police have issued an advisory warning of increased vehicular congestion across the city in view of Sankranti festival travel, with traffic expected to peak between January 9 and January 13 and return movement likely from January 16 to January 19.

In a statement issued Thursday, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, D. Joel Davis, said a surge in traffic is anticipated due to large scale movement of people towards Andhra Pradesh and various districts of Telangana, particularly around bus stations, railway stations and major arterial roads.

The officer said that congestion is likely around Kachiguda and Secunderabad railway stations owing to heavy passenger movement, frequent pick ups and drop offs, auto and cab operations and pedestrian flow, especially during peak hours. The stretch from MGBS to Aramghar via Afzalgunj, City College, Puranapool and Bahadurpura is also expected to witness slow moving traffic due to increased bus services and festival travel.

The S.R. Nagar to Lakdikapool corridor may see congestion during morning and evening peak hours because of office commuters and festival related movement, while the Rethibowli to Aramghar stretch via Attapur is expected to experience moderate congestion due to inter-city traffic and the merging of heavy vehicles at junctions.

Traffic police have also flagged the Kachiguda to Ramanthapur road, where local and festival traffic combined with multiple signalised intersections could result in intermittent slow movement. The MGBS to Dilsukhnagar route is likely to face congestion due to increased bus traffic, autos and passenger movement during the festive period.

Commuters have been advised to plan their travel in advance, avoid peak hours where possible and use alternate routes. Police have urged travellers heading to railway stations and bus terminals to start early to avoid last minute delays. Use of public transport and Metro Rail has been encouraged to help ease congestion.

Traffic updates will be shared on the Hyderabad Traffic Police social media platforms, and commuters can seek assistance through the traffic helpline at 9010203626. Police have appealed to citizens to follow traffic signage and cooperate with personnel deployed on the ground.