Hyderabad to test one-way traffic system at Lakdikapul on November 22

Hyderabad: In a move aimed at easing traffic congestion at Lakdikapul, the Hyderabad traffic police and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have decided to conduct a one-day trial run of a proposed one-way traffic system on November 22.

The proposed changes will cover the stretch between Ravindra Bharathi, Lakdikapul and Iqbal Minar junctions.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar and GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan inspected the proposed routes on motorcycles to assess the ground-level requirements and identify necessary road engineering modifications.

Under the proposed arrangement, vehicles travelling from the Old Control Room towards Iqbal Minar via Ravindra Bharathi will be diverted at Ravindra Bharathi. They will have to proceed through HDFC junction, old Saifabad police station, Iqbal Minar and Secretariat junction to reach Secunderabad and other destinations.

Similarly, vehicles coming from Nirankari junction towards Old Control Room via HDFC and Ravindra Bharathi will have to take a diversion through the old Saifabad police station towards Iqbal Minar, take a right turn and proceed via Ravindra Bharathi.

Officials said junctions would be redesigned and engineering improvements undertaken to ensure smooth movement of vehicles. GHMC will also improve road surfaces, install streetlights and erect prominent signboards, while utility shifting will be coordinated with the concerned departments.

Sajjanar said the proposed system had been designed after a comprehensive study to find a lasting solution to congestion at Lakdikapul. The objective was to minimise waiting time at junctions, reduce travel time and fuel consumption and improve road safety. “Before the trial run, meetings will be held with local traders, residents and regular commuters to seek their suggestions and address possible concerns,” said Sajjanar.

The one-day trial will help officials collect and analyse data on traffic volume, travel time, vehicle movement and safety. The final decision on implementing the system will be taken after examining the findings and public feedback, he said.