Hyderabad: Cyberabad traffic police have retracted the traffic diversions implemented at Hitec city to facilitate Metro train reversal. This move comes following the backlash from techies and the unprecedented traffic congestion witnessed on Friday.
On Sunday, Cyberabad traffic police said in a statement: “In view of traffic congestion due to diversion on Friday, the diversion has been reverted back temporarily.
“The diversions would be taken up to facilitate the Hyderabad Metro rail works with the modifications so that it causes least convenience to the public.”
However, the only route to Cyber Towers is through Lemon Tree CII road. So the diversions will be implemented again soon after traffic police conduct trial runs of the diversion. Traffic officials are likely to make the Lemon Tree hotel lane a one-way to facilitate traffic.
Cyberabad Traffic DCP Vijay Kumar said, “We will be conducting a trial run during peak and non-peak hours as there are no alternative routes. On Monday, as part of the proposed trial run, only one-way traffic will be allowed during afternoon (non-peak hours) on the Lemon Tree road. We will be doing trial runs of traffic diversions phase-wise until all the stakeholders, specifically techies, feel comfortable.”
It may be mentioned here that officials from all departments Metro, the GHMC, police and traffic inspected the area on Saturday. As part of the trial runs, U-turns and food trucks have been removed to reduce the congestion.
Suggestions for the cops from commuters and techies have been pouring in on various social media. They urge shuttle services not to take advantage of the situation and rip off customers. A commuter who goes by the name Chikki on Twitter, said, “Next time you make diversions, see to it that Uber and Ola do not over hype their prices. Inform citizens to use maximum of public and pool transport. Request companies to give work from home as much as possible and try to increase public transport buses towards Hitech city. Please decrease tax on fuel (sic).”
Commuter Vijay Ivaturi pointed out on Twitter, “Traffic police must be careful before making such diversions. Not sure if an analysis of traffic patterns was done before they jumped to take this decision last week (sic).”
