Hyderabad Streets Fall Quiet as Residents Head Home for Sankranti
Hyderabad: Many residents of Hyderabad have traveled to their hometowns in Andhra Pradesh to celebrate the Sankranti festival, leaving the city unusually quiet. Since Sunday, several busy areas in the city have taken on a deserted appearance, bringing much-needed relief to the city’s traffic police, who are usually busy managing heavy congestion.
Typically crowded areas like Panjagutta crossroads, Rasoolpura, IS Sadan in Malakpet, and IT hubs like Madhapur, Kondapur, and Kukatpally have seen very little vehicular movement. These spots are known for heavy traffic, even on weekends and public holidays, often resulting in chaos. However, the streets have been calm since Sunday afternoon.
The IT corridor in Madhapur, usually bustling with activity, has been unusually quiet. This rare calm has allowed traffic police officers to take a break and relax under the shade of trees or near flyovers. The city’s roads have transformed into peaceful stretches, providing a welcome change for both the authorities and residents who remain in the city.
A significant change has also been seen on the major flyovers in Secunderabad. The stretch from the North Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police office near YMCA to the Rasoolpura crossroads, typically clogged with traffic from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, has experienced smooth traffic flow for the past three days. This is a stark contrast to the usual congestion.
Similar scenes are visible at the flyover near Hi-Tec City and in Malakpet, areas often plagued by traffic jams. With the long weekend giving IT professionals and other workers an opportunity to visit their families, the roads are seeing much less activity. The drop in traffic is a direct result of many residents leaving the city for the festival.
Madhapur Traffic Sub-Inspector B. Rambabu shared his observations, stating that roads like Cyber Towers, IKEA Road, Hi-Tech City, and the COD junction near Durgam Cheruvu, notorious for traffic jams, are now almost empty. He added, “This quiet will likely continue until January 19.”
Social media is abuzz with videos and posts about the city’s deserted streets. One user shared a video with the caption, “Hyderabad roads today. Less traffic and no chaos! Now it’s time to visit areas you haven’t seen yet in Hyderabad.” The quieter streets have sparked interest among residents to explore parts of the city often avoided due to traffic.
As many people enjoy the festival with their families, Hyderabad is experiencing a rare and temporary pause from its usual hustle and bustle. For now, the city’s quieter streets provide a peaceful atmosphere for those who stayed behind.
