Last year, it was estimated that about five lakh people travelled from Hyderabad in Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, and officials expect the figure could be surpassed in the next three days.
Published Jan 11, 2025 | 3:17 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 11, 2025 | 3:17 PM
Traffic on NH-65 towards Vijaywada
With the annual festival of Sankranti falling early next week, large numbers of people have left Hyderabad for their native villages and towns, mainly in Andhra Pradesh, ostensibly to take part in illegal cockfights and try their luck at betting camps.
Crowds at Jubilee Bus Station in Hyderabad
Last year, it was estimated that about five lakh people travelled from Hyderabad in Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, and officials expect the figure could be surpassed in the next three days.
In Hyderabad, there was heavy movement of people, with many passengers taking metro trains to reach the railway and bus stations before heading to their towns in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The Secunderabad Railway Station saw a huge rush of passengers, and the South Central Railway introduced special trains to manage the holiday rush. Even then, there was a lot of jostling to board these trains.
Bus stations operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) – Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) and Dilsukhnagar – were also overcrowded, as people tried to get on Vijayawada-bound buses.
Those heading for their home towns faced difficulties due to traffic snarls, including at Abdullapurmet, where movement slowed considerably, and at Choutuppal, where underpass construction further reduced speed.
Traffic on NH-65 towards Vijaywada
Panthangi and Korlapadu Toll Plazas on Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway No. 65 experienced a continuous queue of vehicles from Friday evening, causing very slow clearance despite FASTag readers.
Each vehicle took an estimated 10 to 15 seconds to process, leading to long pile-ups as the arrival rate surpassed the departure rate.
The Madgulapally Toll Plaza on the Narketpally–Addanki Highway also saw dense traffic, as this route serves parts of Andhra Pradesh such as Palnadu and Prakasam districts. At Keesara Toll Plaza near Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh, similar congestion was observed.
Although officials had made arrangements to clear vehicles quickly, the sheer volume exceeded expectations. They had posted 30 additional staff members at each of the two main toll plazas, yet traffic bottlenecks persisted.
Toll plazas increased the number of active booths to handle the surge. Of the 16 booths at Panthangi, 10 were dedicated to Vijayawada-bound vehicles, with the remaining four handling Hyderabad-bound traffic.
Of the 12 booths at Korlapadu, seven were set aside for Vijayawada traffic, and of the 10 booths at Madgulapally, six served Vijayawada-bound vehicles.
Anticipating a heavier flow towards Vijayawada, officials stationed a heavy-duty crane and an ambulance with staff every 20 kilometres in case of emergencies. They estimate that 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles might pass through Panthangi and Korlapadu daily.
Rachakonda police, responsible for the Panthangi Toll Plaza area, said they had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth traffic flow.
They opened 10 booths for Vijayawada-bound traffic and noted they would open more if needed. They also considered allowing vehicles to use the passage usually reserved for auto rickshaws.
To ease movement, authorities updated the software for FASTag readers and used boosters to improve efficiency.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
