One of Hyderabad’s most prominent urban hubs near Dallas Center — an area often compared to Dubai due to its high-end commercial buildings, corporate offices, and expensive residential towers — has recently become the subject of widespread online criticism and controversy. Videos circulating on social media show large crowds gathering in the area late into the evening, performing stunts, blocking roads, dancing, bursting fireworks on Diwali nights, and creating unsafe situations for commuters and residents alike.
The location, which lies close to the IT hubs of HITEC City and Knowledge City and is surrounded by flats worth crores, was meant to represent Hyderabad’s modern facade and cosmopolitan identity. Instead, many social media users claim it has become a “chapri spot” — a colloquial term used locally to describe an informal hangout where amateur performers, dancers, auto drivers, and groups with motorcycles gather, often exhibiting risky behaviour and creating traffic disruptions.
Footage shared by users shows young crowds stopping vehicles on major thoroughfares, performing stunts, or even selling ordinary items like balloons in unauthorized spots late at night. Critics argue that this sort of uncontrolled gathering near a “prime city face” not only tarnishes Hyderabad’s image but also raises serious concerns about public safety and traffic management.
The situation has sparked debate among residents and netizens about why there appears to be minimal police presence, especially in such a high-profile location with heavy traffic and corporate commuting during peak hours. Many commenters have questioned why law enforcement seems absent when viral videos of the same spot resurface regularly, suggesting that this lack of enforcement emboldens reckless behaviour and allows chaotic scenes to persist without consequences.
Others point out that Hyderabad, like many growing metropolises, faces challenges managing spontaneous crowds in dense urban zones. Instances of dangerous stunts and crowding are not unique to this one spot; similar incidents involving reckless behaviour and stunts have been reported in areas like HITEC City roads, where young riders have blocked roads and performed risky bike manoeuvres — prompting concern among commuters and emergency responders about public safety on major streets.
Urban planners and city residents alike have called for better traffic regulation, more visible police deployment, and proactive crowd management measures in these high-visibility zones, pointing out that an area known for corporate headquarters, premium offices, and luxury living should not become a recurring stage for unsanctioned roadside performances and safety hazards.
As Hyderabad continues to expand and draw global attention for its economic growth, the growing pains of urban crowd behaviour highlight the need for stronger civic governance, regular foot patrols, and community awareness to ensure that modern city spaces reflect both progress and disciplined public conduct.
