Hyderabad: The maximum waiting period at traffic signals in the city is three minutes. It increases to five minutes at the Cyber Towers junction due to the massive flow of traffic.
After waiting for five minutes, the signal turns green for two minutes. This is not enough to clear the vehicles, leading to traffic crawling on the IT corridor roads.
If the plans of the traffic police fructify, this junction could be closed to cross-traffic and become signal-free.
A previous survey by the Cyberabad traffic police and GHMC estimated the traffic flow at 12,000 vehicles per hour at peak times. The main causes are stated to be the concentration of IT firms in Madhapur, Kondapur and Gachibowli and the use of personal transport.
The Telangana IT Association estimates that nearly 4 lakh employees and 16 lakh support staff work in 116 majors IT companies and other firms. TITA founder president Sundeep Maktala said that about 70 per cent of these employees use transport provided by the companies while the rest use personal vehicles.
“Hundreds of cabs travel on these roads round the clock and 30 per cent employees are opting to use personal vehicles. Besides, commuters from neighbouring districts utilise apart from locals use roads in the IT corridor. This is creating traffic problems,” he said.
He said taxis are paid to operate via the shortest distance to IT companies. Besides, there is emphasis on time schedules. Taxis use main roads rather than alternative routes, to save time and money. “If taxis use alternative routes, the traffic problem will be solved,” he said. Besides, construction work for the Strategic Road Development Plan and Metro Rail are adding to pressure on the roads.
Madhapur traffic inspector T. Narsing Rao said the long wait at the signals was meant for the convenience of motorists. “Traffic is allowed for two minutes. The wait is longer to that traffic from all sides can be cleared,” he said.
Mr Rao said the traffic police was planning to close junctions in phases. “We have closed the junction at Mindspace. We will close the Cyber Towers junction soon for tarffic from Kondapur to Raheja Mindsparce and Madhapur to Kukatpally. This can lead to a signal-free junction,” he said.
Routes available to avoid Cyber towers junction
Motorists in Gachibowli and Kondapur have several alternative routes to avoid the overcrowded Cyber Towers junction.
Motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, from Kondapur, Kothaguda and Anjaiahnagar, have the option of travelling to Kukatpally via Izzathnagar and Khanamet.
Traffic from Anjaiahnagar and Gachibowli towards Jubilee Hills can choose the route via Raheja Mindspace junction, Durgam Chervu and Madhapur or Road #45. Vehicles from Gachibowli and Anjaiahnagar towards Banjara Hills can take the Raidurgam Filmnagar route. The option for motorists from Jubilee Hills and Madhapur to Kukatpally is the Ayyappa Society route.
TITA president Sundeep Maktala said they would create awareness about this.
ese routes. "We will also meet managements of IT firms to allow cab drivers take alternative routes," he said.
