Anti-encroachment drive brings traffic to standstill

Central parts of Hyderabad starting from Panjagutta up to Khairatabad and SR Nagar on the opposite stretch, witnessed a massive traffic jam because of the GHMC anti-encroachment drive carried out on Saturday. The traffic snarl lasted for over two hours.

The movement was bumper-to-bumper because of the heavy duty vehicle at work on these two busy stretches.

The traffic movement was completely choked starting from N T Rama Rao statue up to Khairatabad cross roads.

Many Hyderabadis vented their anger against the city traffic department and even the GHMC officials for carrying out the job during busy hours.

Mr Aneesh Kumar requested the GHMC not to work during peak hours saying.

“Today was horrible at Panjagutta area.” Responding, Enforcement and Vigilance (antiencroachment wing) Vishwajeet Kampati apologized but said, however, that he was “helpless.”

The officer said, “Really sorry for the inconvenience but we had actually made a study as to what time to do it as its always a' rush' route. But Saturday post 11 am turned out to be less problematic. However it still gave rise to traffic snarls, sorry but couldn’t find a better way.”

The traffic police too agreed that the traffic congestion was due to the heavy duty vehicle demolishing encroachments on the main roads. Mr V. V. S Ramalinga Raju, SR Nagar Inspector said, “Due to the Encroachment drive by the GHMC, the traffic movement was very slow. The bulldozer which was used to clear the illegal construction occupied some space on the road and obstructed vehicular movement in the area.”