Churches, including the MB Church at Golconda Crossroads, the CSI Wesley Church in Ramkote and the Lutheran Church in Lakdikapul, have joined the appeal, asking authorities to consider a relaxation specifically during worship hours.
Hyderabad: Several churches across the city have expressed concern over traffic fines being issued for vehicles parked near church premises during worship services, especially on Sundays and other special occasions. Church representatives said they have repeatedly appealed to traffic authorities, but their pleas have gone unheeded.
On Saturday, a delegation of church leaders met Director General of Police Dr Jitender to raise the issue. They urged the police to consider relaxing parking enforcement near churches during worship timings. Goba Solomon of Baptist Church, Narayanguda, said, “Every Sunday, traffic challans are issued during the 10 am and 6 pm services. We approached the local traffic inspector, but no relief was provided.”
Similarly, B. Prem Sagar of Hebron Church at Golconda Crossroads said, “Even on Good Friday, our congregation faced challans. Despite repeated requests, the issue persists every Sunday.” Rev. Menno Joel of the MB Church, Malakpet, echoed the concern, stating that fines have become a routine affair every Sunday.
Devadas Sagar, an organiser of the recently concluded Vacation Bible School at the Methodist Church, Abids, said, “The ten-day programme, which concluded a week ago, has been held annually for over 100 years. The timing was from 7.30 am to 11 am, and we had submitted a formal request to the inspector. Yet, worshippers' vehicles were fined. The officer continued taking photos and issuing challans even as we explained the situation.”
Churches, including the MB Church at Golconda Crossroads, the CSI Wesley Church in Ramkote and the Lutheran Church in Lakdikapul, have joined the appeal, asking authorities to consider a relaxation specifically during worship hours.
On Friday, Christian leaders and church representatives submitted a formal grievance at the CM Prajavani programme, complaining against traffic police in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda commissionerates. They said vehicles parked temporarily at the roadside during services were being penalised. State Planning Commission vice chairman G. Chinna Reddy, who oversaw the Prajavani session, acknowledged the complaint and forwarded a letter to the DGP seeking intervention.
