Hyderabad is heating up, and so are concerns over car window tints. As summer temperatures soar, many car owners in the city are turning to black films and heavily tinted windows to block out the sun. But this trend is raising red flags.
Despite a clear ban by the Supreme Court in 2012, drivers continue to use these dark films on their car windows. The court had ruled that black tints are illegal on all vehicles across India, citing safety and visibility concerns. Yet, on the streets of Greater Hyderabad, dark-tinted cars are a common sight.
According to M Dayanand, General Secretary of the Telangana Autos and Motors Welfare Union, about 60% of vehicles in the city use some form of window tint. Some use a mild 50% tint, while others go for completely black windows. Dayanand believes this shows a serious failure by enforcement agencies, including the Road Transport Authority (RTA) and traffic police.
Activists say the problem runs deeper. Many car owners don’t even know that these tints are illegal. They trust car décor shops that falsely claim the films are “RTA approved.” These shops, once cautious about selling black films, are now openly offering them again.
Asif Hussain, a local activist, says shopkeepers are misleading customers. “They’re fixing illegal tints and telling customers it’s approved by RTA,” he said. Hussain urges the traffic police and vigilance officers to crack down on these shops and start awareness drives to educate the public.
There’s also a concern about government-hired private vehicles. Some of these cars, used to transport officials, also have tinted windows—despite the risks. Activists warn that this could lead to misuse and lack of transparency.
The use of dark films isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a safety one. Tinted windows reduce visibility, especially on the sides and rear, increasing the chances of road accidents. Authorities are being urged to act fast before it leads to more serious consequences.
With summer in full swing, the pressure is on for officials in Hyderabad to enforce the law and keep roads safe for all.
