Hyderabad: Traffic movement slowed across parts of Hyderabad following rain, with heavy vehicular movement adding to congestion on several busy stretches. Commuters travelling through the western and southern parts of the city are facing delays during peak-hour traffic.
One of the affected stretches is the route from Mehdipatnam Bus Stop and Rethibowli towards Nanal Nagar, where vehicular movement has been slow amid heavy traffic. The wet road conditions and increased vehicle flow have further added to travel time for commuters.
Traffic Police on Ground
Hyderabad Traffic Police personnel are monitoring the affected stretch and regulating traffic to facilitate smoother movement. Commuters have been advised to follow the instructions of traffic personnel and exercise caution while travelling on wet roads.
Motorists are also advised to allow additional travel time, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and avoid sudden braking, particularly where rainwater has accumulated on the road.
Mehdipatnam–Rethibowli Corridor Already a Traffic Bottleneck
The Mehdipatnam–Rethibowli–Nanal Nagar corridor is one of the city’s important traffic routes, connecting residential areas with major routes towards Tolichowki, Attapur, Banjara Hills and the western parts of Hyderabad.
Hyderabad Traffic Police have previously issued traffic diversions in the area because of construction and other road works. Traffic arrangements around the Mehdipatnam Rythu Bazar, Rethibowli and Nanal Nagar areas have also been introduced during periods of heavy traffic. Previous advisories have highlighted the possibility of congestion along this corridor and recommended alternate routes for motorists.
ORR Toll Dispute Adds to Hyderabad’s Wider Traffic Concerns
The city’s traffic problems come at a time when the Telangana government and the operator of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) are locked in a dispute over toll revision, maintenance and road safety.
According to a report published on August 7, the state government has not approved a toll revision for the ORR for the past two years, despite proposals from IRB Golconda Expressway Private Ltd. The operator has reportedly sought annual revisions linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), under a mechanism that can allow toll increases of around 3% to 5% annually.
The disagreement has also brought the condition and safety of the ORR into focus. Government officials have raised concerns about maintenance and accidents, while the operator has attributed a number of incidents to issues such as illegal parking and overspeeding. The government has constituted a multi-departmental committee involving the police, RTA and other agencies to recommend safety measures.
ORR Traffic Continues to Rise
Traffic on the ORR has increased significantly since IRB Golconda took over maintenance and toll collection under the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model in August 2023. According to the latest report, daily traffic has increased from around 1.9 lakh vehicles to about 2.5 lakh vehicles.
The operator is reportedly collecting around ₹700 crore to ₹720 crore annually in toll revenue. However, the state government has raised questions over maintenance and safety standards while considering whether a toll increase should be permitted.
Commuters Advised to Plan Ahead
With rain potentially slowing traffic further, commuters travelling through Mehdipatnam, Rethibowli, Nanal Nagar, Tolichowki and surrounding areas are advised to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternate routes where practical.
Motorists should avoid speeding on wet roads, follow lane discipline and give way to emergency vehicles. Commuters are also advised to follow official traffic updates before starting their journey, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and peak-hour traffic.
As Hyderabad’s traffic volumes continue to rise, the latest congestion once again highlights the need for better road maintenance, effective traffic management and long-term transport infrastructure across the city.
