Fatal Mishaps, Wrong‑route Driving Raise ORR Safety Concerns

Hyderabad: Two fatalities caused by a parked truck and two incidents of wrong‑route driving that went viral this month have raised serious safety concerns on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The 158‑km access‑controlled expressway is maintained by Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), a wing of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

Toll collection, operation and maintenance of the ORR have been awarded to IRB Infrastructure Developers for 30 years on a Toll, Operate and Transfer (TOT) basis. Yet dozens of traffic offences, including fatal accidents, continue to be reported.

In July, two persons were killed instantly when a vehicle rammed into a parked truck near Keesara. In two other cases, commuters narrowly escaped fatal accidents. While several violations occur regularly, three incidents came into focus this month — one involving the two deaths and two others widely shared on social media after being captured on dash cameras.

Despite repeated reports, wrong‑route driving, lane violations and speeding persist. One of the major problems is the presence of parked trucks, which multiply at night near entry and exit points. Commuters also point to reduced patrolling as a factor.

“Earlier patrolling was frequent and a common sight, but in recent times it has reduced gradually,” said city activist Harish Daga.

An IT employee who frequently uses the ORR said parked trucks and wrong‑route vehicles are turning the expressway into a death trap. “When a vehicle is parked it is difficult to apply sudden brakes at such high speed, generally 100 km per hour. Just imagine the plight when you spot a vehicle coming in the opposite direction,” he said.

HMDA officials said in the two incidents shared on social media, violators were identified through cameras and cases booked by police. In the case involving casualties, police took direct cognisance.