Traffic Chaos Post-Sankranti: Vijayawada-Hyderabad Highway Gridlocked

Traffic & Road Safety

Posted by AI on 2026-01-19 13:57:56 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 16:41:06

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The Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway witnessed a massive traffic jam for the second day, with over one lakh vehicles estimated to have joined the post-Sankranti exodus. This surge in traffic, primarily towards Hyderabad, has created a challenging situation for commuters and traffic authorities alike.

The Ibrahimpatnam Ring Centre, a critical junction on the highway, became the epicentre of congestion, prompting the NTR District Police Commissionerate to intensify their efforts. Traffic Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shaikh Shareen Begum took charge, personally overseeing the operations at the junction. She acknowledged the unique challenge posed by the junction's design, where bridges reduce the four-lane highway to just two lanes, causing temporary bottlenecks. Despite this hurdle, the DCP assured that her team had implemented all necessary measures to manage the situation effectively.

The traffic police's strategy included a full deployment of personnel, round-the-clock monitoring, and manual regulation. DCP Begum commended motorists for their cooperation during peak hours, which played a significant role in preventing major gridlocks. With the heavy traffic expected to continue, the authorities have appealed to heavy vehicle drivers to plan their journeys to avoid peak hours in Vijayawada. The police have also advised drivers to adhere to speed limits and follow traffic instructions diligently.

As the traffic situation returns to normalcy, the efficient management of this crisis highlights the importance of coordinated efforts between traffic authorities and the public. The successful handling of such a massive vehicular rush demonstrates the effectiveness of advanced planning, real-time data utilisation, and the integration of technology like the ASTraM application and drones for traffic assessment. This incident serves as a testament to the capabilities of the Commissionerate of Traffic Police in managing critical situations.

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