Hyderabad: Poor road conditions and a growing number of excessively high speed breakers on the Kismatpur–Bandlaguda Jagir Road have raised concerns among commuters and residents. An Instagram video shared by content creator @byte2z highlights the condition of the road, drawing attention to damaged stretches and multiple speed breakers that make daily travel difficult.
The video shows several portions of the road with uneven surfaces, damaged patches and speed breakers placed at frequent intervals. The issue is particularly concerning for two-wheeler riders and motorists, who have to repeatedly slow down and negotiate poorly constructed road humps while travelling through the area.
Speed Breakers Outside Buildings Raise Concerns
One of the major concerns highlighted in the video is the installation of multiple speed breakers along the road, including in front of individual buildings. In some locations, local building owners or associations appear to have constructed concrete humps to slow down vehicles passing their properties.
While speed breakers are necessary in certain locations to protect pedestrians and prevent overspeeding, their indiscriminate construction can create new safety problems. When every building or local association independently installs a speed breaker, roads can end up with several closely spaced humps of different heights and designs.
Some of these structures appear excessively high and lack uniform dimensions, proper road markings or advance warning signs. Such speed breakers can cause sudden jolts, damage vehicle suspension components and make commuting particularly uncomfortable for two-wheeler riders.
Newly Laid Roads Turn into Obstacle Courses
Another concern is the practice of constructing speed breakers even after roads have been newly laid or resurfaced. Instead of maintaining a coordinated road-safety plan, individual concrete humps are added at different points, potentially affecting the quality and usability of the newly developed road.
Commuters are left navigating a combination of damaged road surfaces, uneven patches and multiple raised humps. The situation also raises questions about who is authorising these structures and whether they are being built according to recognised engineering standards.
What Do Speed Breaker Guidelines Say?
The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) has issued technical guidance for traffic-calming measures under IRC:99-2018. These guidelines provide design principles for speed humps and other measures intended to reduce vehicle speeds safely.
A commonly referenced design for a conventional speed hump includes:
- Height: Approximately 100 mm (10 cm).
- Width: Approximately 3.7 metres.
- Profile: A rounded design with an appropriate gradient.
- Design speed: Intended to reduce vehicle speeds to around 25 kmph at the hump.
- Safety measures: Appropriate road markings and advance warning signs.
These are technical design references, not permission for individuals or building associations to construct speed breakers independently. The location and design of traffic-calming measures should be assessed and approved by the competent road authority.
GHMC Rules: Colony Road Speed Limit Is 30 kmph
The Telangana Government, through G.O.Ms.No.27 dated May 25, 2022, prescribed a maximum speed limit of 30 kmph on colony roads within the GHMC area for cars and other specified categories of vehicles.
However, the prescribed speed limit does not mean that residents or individual building associations can construct speed breakers wherever they choose. Traffic-calming structures should follow applicable technical standards and the approval process of the competent authorities.
Earlier instructions issued by the Telangana Roads and Buildings Department have also addressed unauthorised and substandard speed breakers on roads under its jurisdiction, emphasising the need to follow standard designs and obtain approval from the competent authority. The applicability of those instructions to a particular GHMC road depends on the road-owning authority.
Commuters Seek Action from GHMC and Traffic Authorities
The condition highlighted in the video raises questions about road maintenance and the regulation of speed breakers along the Kismatpur–Bandlaguda Jagir stretch.
Commuters would benefit from a joint inspection by the relevant civic and traffic authorities to identify damaged road sections, assess the necessity of existing speed breakers and address structures that are excessively high, poorly designed or inadequately marked.
Authorities should also ensure that any new speed breakers are installed only where necessary, with proper engineering design, approvals, road markings and warning signs. Unauthorised structures that fail to meet safety requirements should be reviewed and appropriate action taken.
Speed breakers are meant to improve road safety, not damage vehicles or make everyday commuting difficult. As residential areas around Kismatpur and Bandlaguda Jagir continue to grow, commuters expect safer roads, proper maintenance and consistent enforcement of road-safety standards.
Watch the Video
Instagram creator @byte2z has highlighted the road conditions and speed-breaker issue in the following video:
