Residents do not bother to take permission from traffic cops, GHMC officials
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Hyderabad: Many residential areas in the city, have at least two to three speedbreakers in a stretch of less than 1 km. Madhavapuri, Yousufguda, AS Rao Nagar, Secunderabad, Vikrampuri, Tolichowki, Kukatpally Housing Board, Chandanagar, Mehdipatnam, Neredmet, Malkajgiri, Safilguda, Sainikpuri and Red Hills are a some areas where speedbreakers are constructed at every 200 metres.
As per rules, residents need to approach the traffic police first. An traffic department official needs to survey the area and see if the traffic flow needs a speedbreaker. Once residents get a nod, they need to approach the GHMC for permission as the roads fall under its jurisdiction.
However, most often, people just get the raw materials and hire some labour and get the work done in a non-technical manner. Readymade fibre speedbreakers, might do more harm than good as once they start wearing off, flat tyres become a common problem.
A senior engineer from the GHMC’s town planning department said, “Very often, people decide on their whims to construct a speedbreaker in front of their houses or in residential areas believing it will help in road safety.” Owing to poor design and lack of any markings on the speedbreakers, or display boards, the speedbumps end up doing more damage than help matters.
Once constructed, even if someone complains about the poor design, the authorities take a lot of time to act as it would mean the road has to be repaired too. For instance, in April 2014, Dharmendra from Filmnagar had filed a complaint about a speedbreaker. The problem was solved by residents and locals. However, on the GHMC website, the complaint is open has been escalated ten times from one official to another.
Vehicles at the mercy of badly-made speedbumps
Speedbreakers in the city have become more of car breakers. Owing to the height of the bumps, which is as high as a foot at many places, the sump or underbellies of cars are getting scraped.
“Almost 90 per cent of the repairs we handle are related to speedbumps. Heavy vehicles or heavily-loaded vehicles get damaged due to this,” said P. Shiva, owner, Crossover Car Modifications and Auto Repair centre.
Apparently, any damage to the petrol tank can cost from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2-3 lakh for a sedan. For luxury vehicles, the cost incurred is more. Bending of rims happens very often and can cost Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 every time. Experts said as one keeps going over such bumps, the suspension also gets damaged.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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