CAMPAIGN VANS BLOCK TRAFFIC ON CITY ROADS

OTHER

The election campaign vehicles deployed by political parties are obstructing traffic movement in busy areas of the city like Kukatpally, Hitech City and Begumpet. These vehicles move at a very slow pace and stop at busy junctions in order to grab the attention of the people, thus causing distraction to the road users.

Mr K. Bharat, a commuter, said, “Near Prakashnagar flyover, campaign vehicles of the BJP, the TD and the BSP were deployed this week, disrupting the traffic flow even during non-peak hours. The people operating these vans often distract the attention of the commuters, which can cause accidents.”

Mr V. Vinay, a techie, said, “There were people standing on footpaths holding placards at Hitec City, distracting commuters despite the presence of police officials.”

Salauddin Shaikh, president of Four Wheeler Association, said, “The political leaders hire these vehicles for campaigning. They force the drivers to stop in the middle of the road or at main junctions to attract the attention of commuters. If the drivers refuse to stop the vehicles where they are asked to, they will not pay them. If they stop the vehicles at main junctions, it causes traffic jams. The traffic cops ask them to immediately move the vehicles and impose fines on refusal. These drivers are in a difficult situation.”

However, traffic officials in Cyberabad denied that campaign vehicles were causing traffic jams in the area.

“If any such instance comes to our notice, we immediately reach the spot and ask the drivers to remove the vehicles from the place,” a traffic official said.