The Hindu : Where traffic snarl is a rule, not an exception

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 19, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Where traffic snarl is a rule, not an exception

By Marri Ramu

HYDERABAD, JAN. 18. Limited road space, heavy volume of traffic, a median opened up in the middle of the road to allow vehicle movement in too many directions, no traffic signals or signboards. All these adding to traffic snarls and compounding woes of road users.

That puts in perspective, the `T' junction at Ramgopalpet police station building where traffic congestion has become a rule rather than an exception.

With a number of commercial establishments, shops and business centres on both sides, the nearly 2-km stretch from Ranigunj Circle to Paradise Junction is choked with vehicles even during normal hours let alone peak time.

Adding to the utter chaos and confusion are the vehicles, mostly four-wheelers, which are parked on either side narrowing the already limited road space available on this stretch.

The median from Paradise Hotel to Ranigunj crossroads had two openings in between. While the one near Gandhi statue was closed, the other was left open in front of the Ramgopalpet police station building connecting the junction to Mahankali temple road.

As a result vehicle drivers take turns in every direction at the junction creating chaos.

Vehicle drivers coming from Ranigunj side turn right to go to the Mahankali temple, those coming from Paradise take a `U' turn, vehicles from the Mahankali temple side take left and right turns to go to Ranigunj and Paradise respectively.

Sometimes motorists coming from the temple side cross the road diagonally and proceed towards a bylane at the other end of the road bringing the traffic to a grinding halt on either side of the police station building road.

Lack of traffic signals and signboards adds to the confusion. Whenever a vehicle driver coming from Paradise takes a `U' turn, traffic is forced to stop for at least two minutes on either side of the junction.

"Closure of the median may shift the congestion to Paradise and Ranigunj junctions. But, we are studying the problem to ease the congestion," the traffic Assistant Commissioner of Police-1, B.V. Chander Rao, said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Decks cleared for IMG sports academy

Where traffic snarl is a rule, not an exception

YSR for Vijayawada

A.P. Express departure delayed today

Onion prices go through the roof

Around The City

In Hyderabad Today

Readers' Mail