Private buses spark chaos on Inner Ring Road

Hyderabad: The very purpose of building the Inner Ring Road (IRR) in Hyderabad is being defeated by private travel buses which illegally park buses frequently along the IRR stretch from Rethi Bowli X Road to Aramghar X Road, causing traffic snarls and creating safety hazards for residents, commuters, and other road users. This is happening despite repeated complaints from residents in the localities.

A ring road is meant to assist in reducing traffic volumes in the urban centre, such as by offering an alternative route around the city. Often the ring road is used to divert through-traffic and heavy freight away from crowded city centres, thus reducing urban congestion and improving overall travel speeds. Those benefits have gone for a toss in the IRR stretch in question. Residents allege that private buses are being parked on service roads and, at times, directly on the main carriageway, be it day or night. The problem is reportedly particularly severe around the Dairy Farm–Attapur–Aramghar stretch, where buses are allegedly parked for prolonged periods without regard to traffic movement.

Javeed Patel, a resident of Golden City Colony, said: “Rethi Bowli X Road to Aramghar X Road is facing severe traffic congestion because private buses are being parked on the service roads and even on the main road. This is happening 24/7 and has become a serious hazard for residents and commuters.” Residents say they have repeatedly raised the issue but feel that the problem has continued without a lasting solution.

Javeed said “I have been raising the illegal parking issue of private travel buses from Dairy Farm to Aramghar for a long time. It seems the problem continues despite repeated complaints. Authorities need to take serious action, instead of allowing the situation to continue.” Furthermore, the obstruction is also being attributed, in part, to vehicles associated with function halls that are allegedly blocking service roads, further reducing the space available for traffic and pedestrians.

Another complaint highlighted an incident near Pillar No. 123 at Attapur, where a private bus was allegedly blocking the entire road and reportedly failed to stop despite a red traffic signal.

Mohit Gupta, a resident, posted on X: “At Pillar No. 123, Attapur, a bus blocked the whole road and did not stop at the red signal. Such incidents put both motorists and pedestrians at risk and require immediate enforcement.”

In response to the complaint, the police stated: “Dear sir, thank you for reporting to us, the matter has been forwarded to our e-challan team for necessary action.” Residents are seeking regular enforcement against illegally parked private travel buses, action against vehicles obstructing service roads near function halls, and measures to ensure that buses do not occupy the main carriageway or ignore traffic signals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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