Hyderabad: Traffic chaos at the Malakpet railway under bridge has continued for the past one year due to Hyderabad Metro Rail project. Commuters driving from Chaderghat to Nalgonda cross roads towards Malakpet spend more than 30 minutes to travel about a kilometre. Even at midnight the traffic is heavy causing jams. The Metro project work is expected finish by March. The police has introduced many traffic diversions in the area that have not been of much help, especially during 9am- 11am and 6pm-10pm.
Anusha a resident of Kothapet who often travels on this route, said, “If we decide to book a cab, the wait-and-move literally burns a hole in the pocket. I hope they wrap up work soon.” Syed Kaiser, 25, a resident of Malakpet, has to drive to work during peak hours to Kothapet. He said, “For the last one year, the traffic jam has been a regular feature. To cross a strech which is only a kilometre, we have to spend around 45 minutes to one hour. Though cops are working hard to control the traffic, the jams seem to be uncontrollable. The roads have been drastically reduced with the Metro work being in progress. They should be widened to control the traffic jam’’.
DCP A Ranganath said, “Severe traffic jams have become an unending problem for travellers on the Chaderghat to Nalgonda X roads and those in Malakpet area for the past one year. The design for the Metro work appears to be quite complicated but would likely be finished by March end. To ease the difficulties, we have diverted all the TSRTC buses as well as private buses and goods trucks on to other routes like Dabeerpura, Amberpet and Azampura after 12 pm. We are only allowing two wheelers, four wheelers and autos in to move in that area to reduce the traffic’’
