NO FUNDS FOR OUTER RING ROAD SECURITY

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has turned down the proposal of the Cyberabad police for a police contingent to man the accidentprone Outer Ring Road. The metropolitan development authority has rejected the move, citing lack of funds for setting up such a force to prevent road mishaps on the 158-km stretch of Patancheru-Gachibowli-Pedda Amberpet.

In 2012, around 50 people were killed and 81 injured in road accidents on the ORR alone. This indicates that the stretch is dangerous for its users. Vehicles travel at higher speeds than on other national and state highways, as there are no traffic signals and no speed limits are imposed.

In the wake of frequent violations on Outer Ring Road due to the absence of cops, the Cyberabad police commissionerate has worked out a project to set up a dedicated force to man the ORR. It will cost an estimated `8.67 crore and there will be a recurring expenditure of ` 4 crore, according to HMDA sources.

The force will be checking speed limits and other traffic violations. It will also tackle attacks on the toll plaza crew.

“The proposal adds greatly to the financial burden. After the toll plazas were set up, the speeding has been controlled and the accidents have come down. There are serious budget constraints, so we are not going ahead with this special task force,” a HMDA official said.