Sankranti rush causes major traffic jams on Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway

Hyderabad: Heavy traffic congestion affected the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway (NH-65) on Saturday night as thousands of people traveled to their hometowns in Andhra Pradesh for the Sankranti festival. The surge in vehicles led to long queues at toll plazas and slow-moving traffic along the route.

According to the reports, there was a heavy rush at bus stations throughout Hyderabad. Major departure points, including Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, Jubilee Bus Station, Uppal Crossroads, Aramghar, LB Nagar, KPHB, Bowenpally, and Gachibowli, experienced large crowds as people traveled home for the festival.

To manage the increased demand, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) deployed 6,432 special buses. The rise in passenger numbers, including students and workers, further contributed to slowdowns on national highways leading out of the city.

On January 10, 2025, authorities reported that approximately 55,000 vehicles passed through the Panthangi toll plaza in a single day. The long weekend, coinciding with school holidays and the festival, significantly increased traffic.

In response to the congestion, Rachakonda Police issued a traffic advisory, advising motorists traveling toward Andhra Pradesh to avoid the route from Pedda Amberpet (EXIT-11) to Chityala via Choutuppal due to heavy traffic. Alternative routes include:

• Ghatkesar (EXIT-9) to Chityala via Bhuvanagiri, Valigonda, and Ramannapeta.
• The Bangalore (EXIT-121) gate to Guntur via Ibrahimpatnam, Mall, and Devarakonda.

Shamshabad Airport officials also issued a travel advisory, urging passengers to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international departures. Travelers were encouraged to use DigiYatra for a smoother, contactless experience.

Meanwhile, schools in Hyderabad and across Telangana will be closed for the Sankranti festival from January 13 to 17, with classes resuming on January 18. The extended vacation, which includes January 11 (a second Saturday) and January 12 (Sunday), has contributed to the increase in travel.

Earlier, on January 10, Telangana's Transport Commissioner issued a stern warning, announcing that strict action would be taken against private travel buses violating regulations during the Sankranti festival rush. He emphasized that cases would be filed against buses violating permit rules or charging fares above prescribed limits and warned of legal consequences for violators.

District transport department officials have been instructed to conduct special inspections of private travel buses to ensure compliance. So far, 150 cases have been booked against private buses for violations.

The Commissioner also stressed that private buses must be operated by experienced drivers and maintain a passenger list with a designated attendant. All contract carriage bus regulations must be followed, and non-compliance could lead to vehicle seizures.

Reports indicate that some private vehicles, including those running between the Telugu states, are operating illegally without proper permits or tax payments. These buses, registered as contract carriages, are often operating on routes typically served by TSRTC, charging excessive fares and failing to meet safety standards. Such violations have led to accidents, some resulting in fatalities.

Transport authorities have directed Joint Transport Commissioner (JTC) Hyderabad and District Transport Officers (DTOs) to closely monitor these violations. A special drive has been launched from January 7 to 16 to curb the illegal operations of private buses, particularly those traveling between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The Transport Commissioner reiterated the importance of strict vigilance and prompt action to ensure passenger safety and uphold regulatory standards.