Hyderabad: The traffic police has imposed curbs on vehicular movement at Maitrivanam for the next 45 days to facilitate construction of the Metro Rail project.
Traffic coming from Erragadda towards Ameerpet and Secunderabad is being diverted at Umesh Chandra statue towards Satyam theatre and Durgamata temple, due to which commuters are likely to face traffic congestion during the morning peak hours.
The stretch between GHMC playgrounds and Ameerpet to Sonabai temple has been made one way. No vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Sonabai temple. All by-lanes joining the road from Umesh Chandra statue to SR Nagar T Junction have been closed, except for the SR Nagar Community Hall Junction.
Two-wheelers and three wheelers from Erragadda to Madhuranagar and Kalyannagar can take a right turn at Umesh Chandra statue.
DCP, North Zone, L.S. Chauhan said, “We have deployed 150 cops to control the traffic and have placed clear signs. The GHMC has also deployed some engineers.”
He said traffic would be diverted via SR Nagar T Junction, Durga Matha temple and Ameerpet Junction to prevent congestion of the narrow lanes. Private buses and heavy vehicles will be allowed from 11 pm to 5 am under the supervision of 30 police personnel and 50-60 marshals provided by Hyderabad Metro Rail.
The traffic police is also planning to close the Oliphanta road under-bridge in Secunderabad and divert traffic towards Allugadda Bavi. RTC buses coming from Musheerabad, Sitapha-lmandi, and Alugaddabavi will have to take a U-turn at Chilkalaguda.
This will affect a large number of bus passengers as buses will not reach the Rathifile and Secunderabad terminus.
A traffic policeman said it will add 15 minutes to the commute to the railway station via Chilkalguda Alugadda-bavi and Sangeet once the Oliphanta bridge is closed.
Joint traffic commissioner Dr V. Ravinder said the Oliphanta bridge has not been closed yet, and L&T officials have put up signboards regarding the new routes to prepare motorists. “Discussions are still going on regarding the diversions and a route map is being prepared,” he said.
Diversions take motorists for a ride
Motorists driving from Erragadda towards Maitrivanam on Thursday were shocked to find their commute disrupted by the new traffic diversions that were suddenly announced on Wednesday.
“I was not aware of the traffic diversion. When I reached the junction, traffic was directed towards Dharam Karam Road to reach Ameerpet,” said Sohail Nair who lives in Moosapet.
He said it took him an hour and 20 minutes to reach his destination. “After today’s experience, I will try to avoid this route as much as possible for the next 45 days.”
Asked why prior intimation is not given, Dr V Ravinder, joint commissioner of traffic police, said, “If we announce a week before, commuters may not remember. That is why we decided to inform the commuters a day before so they will get the information from the media.”
