Hyderabad: Drivers performing dangerous manoeuvres, thinking they are stuntmen, on the road leading from Sanjeevaiah Park to Imax roundabout are proving to be a nuisance for early morning walkers, joggers, and cyclists on their way to Tank Bund.
About a month ago, a runner was hit and dragged by three boys trying to perform a stunt on a two-wheeler. Shocking, this is happening under the nose of the Lake Protection police station on Necklace Road.
Cyclist Satish Chandra Annamaneni said, “I am worried about the unauthorised conducting of drag racing on motorbikes, speeding, triple riding, jay-driving that goes unchecked on Necklace Road, especially during the wee hours. This area has turned into a spot for all kinds of deviant behaviour.”
On November 12, a cyclist was hit on his ankle by a couple of boys speeding on Necklace Road. On the same day, another cyclist was injured at around 8 am near Jala Vihar by a youth trying to drag-race a bike.
Ms Sangeetha Kaur, who is out running early in the morning, said that though runners move in the direction opposite to the traffic. “We often encounter speeding bikers deliberately attempting to run us off the road, yelling to scare us and even shoving us the intent to cause physical injury.”
Women are increasingly being harassed. Recently, a woman filed a complaint with the Lake Protection police. She said she was travelling on her two-wheeler on Necklace Road early in the morning when three youth rode close by her and passed lewd comments.
Ms Sonu Kumar, a research scientist with Reddy Laboratories and a regular runner, added, “At times the drag racers take pictures or videos to capture their ‘feat’. Those over speeding are always on the wrong side. I also witnessed two men making lewd gestures at passers-by, especially women. They fled when I intervened.”
She said a majority of the offenders are under-age youngsters with 'L' boards who are learning to ride or drive.
Another regular female runner said, “Women runners are teased even if they are in the company of males.”
Dr Chandrashekar Ramineni, who runs regularly, said Necklace Road is popular with runners and cyclists and even has a cycle track.
A group of runners has floated an online petition to the police commissioner to take action on their complaints
When the issue was taken up with the Lake police, inspector Katta Sridevi said, “On a weekly basis, five or six cases of eve teasing are booked and more for traffic violations like rash driving.” The Lake Protection police has also informed the She Teams to deploy squads to curb eve teasing.
Traffic violations: Complain at Saifabad police station located opposite Imax
Crime: Complain at Lake police station on Necklace Road, including against harassment of women
An inspector has been deployed to look into complaints
Contact 9490616186 or dial 100
