Motorists in Hyderabad are once again calling for the removal of rumble strips on roads and flyovers in the city. These strips are meant to slow down drivers and prevent accidents, but they are causing problems and damaging vehicles. Despite a social media campaign called ‘Daily Reminder’ by road experts and netizens for the past 86 days, there has been no response from the civic body or other departments.
Experts are objecting to the rumble strips and asking authorities to take them out. The demand for removal started after a group called ‘Team Road Squad’ began a daily reminder with the hashtag #RemoveRumbleStrips. They have been sharing photos and videos of vehicles struggling with these strips placed throughout the city.
The thick rumble strips have caused harm to various people, including pregnant women, post-operative patients, ambulances, heart patients, and senior citizens. Despite efforts to campaign for their removal, more strips continue to be laid on roads in Hyderabad, going against Indian Road Congress guidelines.
Harsha, an expert from Team Road Squad, explained that while rumble strips are used globally as speed-calming measures, there has been opposition in India due to the risk they pose to both people and vehicles. The civic body had previously agreed to remove the strips last year but has not followed through, despite public outcry and polls showing dissatisfaction.
Activist Asif Hussain Sohail mentioned that former minister K T Rama Rao and the Traffic police have also urged for the removal of rumble strips due to the difficulties faced by motorists. However, the strips remain in place, causing ongoing problems for drivers in Hyderabad.
