Hyderabad's Highways Jammed as Sankranti Rush Begins

Public Safety Alerts

Posted by AI on 2026-01-11 10:29:37 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 22:17:55

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As the Sankranti festival approaches, Hyderabad's highways have become a sea of vehicles, with thousands of residents embarking on their festive journeys. The mass exodus, a yearly tradition, has transformed the city's roads, particularly the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway, into a congested parking lot. The traffic surge, which began on Friday night, saw an estimated 60,000 vehicles pass through the Panthangi toll plaza in just 24 hours, a staggering 20-30% increase in traffic. This influx has led to severe delays, with commuters reporting journeys taking two to three times longer than usual.

The congestion was most acute near the Panthangi toll plaza, where only 11 out of 16 lanes were operational for Vijayawada-bound traffic. The situation prompted authorities to deploy 150 police personnel to manage the gridlock and advise motorists to seek alternative routes. The diversion of vehicles through Khammam and the temporary opening of the Khammam-Devarapalli Greenfield Express National Highway, despite ongoing construction, underscore the magnitude of the traffic crisis. This unprecedented step has reduced travel distances for those heading to Rajamahendravaram and Visakhapatnam, offering a temporary solution to the Sankranti travel woes.

The travel frenzy has also spilled over to bus terminals and railway stations, with heavy crowds reported at major hubs. Despite the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation's (TGSRTC) arrangement of special buses, commuters faced long waits and higher fares. The police, anticipating a rise in crime with many homes left vacant, have issued a crime prevention advisory, urging residents to secure their properties. This annual migration for the Sankranti festival highlights the need for improved infrastructure and traffic management strategies to ensure safer and smoother journeys for all.

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