Motorists Puzzled as Traffic Police Conduct One-Way Trial Run Around KBR Park
Hyderabad: During a two-hour experimental trial in a day’s traffic on roads adjacent to KBR Park in Jubilee Hills on Sunday, many motorists appeared confused despite widespread publicity for the event, which started at 11am.
The traffic police was exploring the possibility of implementing one-way traffic on roads to facilitate the construction of steel flyovers and underpasses as part of the Hyderabad City Innovative and Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) project. City police commissioner VC Sajjanar personally inspected the experiment on Sunday.
Traffic police and volunteers holding signs helped drivers find their way. The one-way movement will be from Jubilee Hills checkpoint towards NTR Bhavan and from NTR Bhavan towards Basavatarakam cancer hospital. There are also no U-turns or right turns around KBR Park.
An official emphasized that the trial run was for Sunday only; Regular traffic flow will be restored as of Monday.
The findings from the trial run will be analyzed and shared with GHMC officials for further steps, officials said. Based on feedback and improvements, another trial run will be conducted after prior public notice.
An official said that the hearing will be held from Basavatarakam to Agrasen statue and Venkatagiri and Jubilee Hills Road No. He said it cited several spots where there was more than normal friction due to one-way traffic, including 5 Metro Stations, stretching up to BRS Bhavan. If a one-way requirement is imposed, minor repairs will be made on the roads.
Joel Davis, joint commissioner of police and traffic, said traffic patterns would be analysed, videos were shot using a drone and the videos would also provide insight to make further decisions about possible changes.
Sajjanar explained that officials studied the roads and traffic flow for a month before preparing the experimental draft. “We will examine traffic issues and work further with available information. There will be further changes and full-fledged restrictions will apply.”
Surprise, Confusion and Praise: Passengers React to KBR Park One-Way Run
A cycle taxi dropped its passenger, a woman, before the NTR Bhavan signal and refused to take her to the drop point at Jubilee Hills Checkpost Metro Railway Station after the driver saw traffic diversion signs on KBR Park roads. The woman, who works in Madhapur, said she was unaware of the distractions. He was guided by a police officer, one of many deployed along the route during the experiment.
25-year-old Karan J., a private employee, said that he wanted to surprise his boss by coming to the office on Sunday, but he also faced a shock. “I had a normal ride yesterday and everything changed in one day,” said Karan, happy that it was just an experiment. Told that there would be a similar hearing, he began calculating the additional gas costs of traveling four more kilometres.
Malathi Rajeshwari, a private employee, expressed gratitude to the police for working to identify challenges and provide solutions. “The checkpoint gets congested during rush hours. If a one-way system helps, it would be a better option.
