Statue unveiling leads to traffic chaos around Tank Bund

HYDERABAD: Motorists taking the roads around Hussainsagar were put to hardships because of the restrictions put in place by the traffic police for the unveiling of the 125-foot statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

At certain points, vehicles moved at a snail's pace throughout the day, even before barricades were put up at 1 pm. Some commuters drove past the area to catch a glimpse of the statue from afar.

Once restrictions were in place, commuters had a tough time finding alternative routes other than those provided by the traffic police, as most roads and by-lanes began getting crowded by 1.30 pm.

Himayatnagar, Liberty, Basheerbagh, Lakdikapul, Khairatabad and Banjara were the worst hit by the restrictions. The areas had several students from coaching classes and working professionals returning home. The cloudy sky brought some relief from an otherwise hot day, but at certain junctions, commuters losing their patience had heated exchanges with equally frustrated people, who also spent close to an hour in the traffic.

The road leading to Birla Temple was dotted with vehicles and people, dressed in pink, and some in blue, who made occasional halts with DJ and water packets. The lanes in Domalguda, Lower Tank Bund road, Masab tank, RTC crossroads and Malakpet bore the brunt of the diversions.

Construction and digging work in some of these areas added to the woes. Customers and patients reaching retail stores, hotels and even hospitals had a tough time wading through the traffic. Cab, auto and bike taxi drivers had both - a tough time and field day after cancelling trips during the first half of the day and then doubling the charges. Some preferred MMTS services.