Increased speed limits approved for main access road at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad

The SHO obtained a letter from the National Advisory Council's full-time officer expressing no objection to the proposed speed increase.

ByDeepika Pasham

Published Dec 12, 2023 | 3:24 AM Updated Dec 12, 2023 | 9:15 AM

File photo of the Hyderabad airport.

In a recent announcement, the station house officer (SHO) of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad Traffic Police Station, officially declared the approval of higher speed limits on the airport approach road or main access road to the facility.

This crucial route is frequented by passengers arriving from various routes across Hyderabad.

Despite the nod for increased speed limits from 60 kmph to 80 kmph, frequent travellers suggest that the focus should not solely be on speed limits.

Instead, they emphasised the need for the RGIA and the traffic police to address issues such as vehicular traffic and speed breakers.

According to these passengers, optimising these factors would contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and flow of traffic on the main access road to the RGIA.

Also read: Hyderabad airport announces complete transition to green energy

The situation

According to the traffic police, in a letter dated 14 August, 2023, written by RGIA Vice-President and Ground Transportation head K Sanjay Kapu Raju requested the traffic police to update speed limits for passengers reaching the airport.

The cops noted that there were no traffic issues on the main access road, stretching approximately 6 km from the Galaxy Gate entrance to the Airport rear gate.

The road surface is reported to be in excellent condition, with a width of 60 feet, a central median, a proper drainage system, and adequate illumination.

As a result, revised speed limit boards have already been erected along the designated area.

Additionally, the location for the installation of an Automatic Speed Enforcement System at the airport has been identified, he said in a statement to the media.

Also read: Hyderabad airport records 21 million passengers in 2022-23

The nod

The SHO is also said to have obtained a letter from the NAC’s full-time officer expressing no objection to the proposed speed increase.

The NAC officer stated that, based on the provided road design details, there were no concerns regarding the design speed of the Main Access Road on the RGIA premises.

The new speed limits are expected to come into effect from 11 December.

The Cyberabad commissioner of police emphasised that this decision was made in the interest of public safety and convenience.