Hyderabad Traffic Woes: A Wake-Up Call for Change

On my recent trip to Hyderabad, I was faced with a reality I hoped had improved over the years – the traffic situation. Unfortunately, it has only worsened. Compared to my visit two years ago, the city's traffic problems seem to have escalated with every passing day. Rather than just cribbing about it, I’ve decided to pen down my experiences, hoping to highlight the issues and propose a few solutions that might, just maybe, catch the attention of those in power.

The Unbalanced Development: Two Cities in One

Hyderabad has grown tremendously, especially in areas like Madhapur, Gachibowli, and the Hi-tech City region. These are the prime hubs, bustling with IT companies, plush residences, and high-end infrastructure. But there's another side to the city that seems forgotten—areas like Uppal, Dilsukhnagar, Tarnaka, and Secunderabad. These regions, though equally vital, haven’t seen the same attention or growth.

The travel from Uppal to Secunderabad, a distance of about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), can take 30 minutes by car. A motorcycle might shave off 10 minutes, but the issue isn’t just the traffic volume; it's the lack of proper infrastructure and discipline that causes unnecessary delays. Flyovers have been constructed, but ironically, the travel times remain the same.

Why So Long for Such Short Distances?

Is it the volume of vehicles? The narrow roads? A lack of discipline? In my opinion, it's a combination of all these factors.

When it comes to discipline, it's almost non-existent. People travel on the wrong side of the road as if it's their right. And if you dare to question them, you're met with angry shouts and told to mind your own business. One particular incident that haunts me involved an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient. Despite knowing the urgency, no one bothered to give way. We sat there, stuck, as precious minutes ticked by. It took 1.5 hours to reach the nearest medical facility, not because of distance, but because of the sheer lack of discipline and care on the roads.

Endless Construction with No Progress

Living near Uppal, I’ve witnessed the painful lack of progress in road infrastructure. The flyover near my house has been under construction for over 4.5 years. When I last visited, there were disagreements between the contractors, state, and central government, halting construction entirely. Over this time, 23 lives have been lost due to accidents on these unfinished roads, but the government remains silent, as if the problem doesn’t exist.

The focus of development seems to be solely on areas with big companies and wealthy residents. As proof, look no further than the recently announced flyover and underpass project near KBR Park, a project costing thousands of crores. Meanwhile, the main highway I referred to, which connects Hyderabad to Warangal, remains in shambles, ignored by the powers that be.

The State of Our Roads: A Never-Ending Maze

Take a small temple near my home in Uppal as an example. It’s just 2 kilometers away, yet it takes 20 minutes to reach due to the horrific road conditions. Half of this distance is the Warangal Highway, and it feels like a maze of potholes. Finding a smooth patch of road is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Driving through it feels like being caught in non-stop turbulence, leaving you with body aches, vehicle breakdowns, and a sense of despair.

These roads haven’t been properly repaired in years. Instead of real fixes, a layer of sand is thrown into the potholes, which washes away with the first rain or disintegrates after a few days of traffic. This is the state of road maintenance in a city that is supposedly booming.

What Can Be Done?

It's easy to complain, and it's clear that everyone has a role to play in making things better. As Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see." In that spirit, I’ll soon announce how I plan to contribute to this change. Hyderabad deserves better, and I believe if we unite our voices, we can push for the changes that are sorely needed.

Stay tuned. Let's work together for a safer, smoother, and more disciplined Hyderabad.