Rumble strips in Hyderabad, the white lines placed on roads to alert drivers, are causing serious problems for motorists. These strips are particularly troublesome for two-wheeler riders. When they pass over the strips, their vehicles experience jolts 10 to 20 times in just a few seconds. This repeated jarring can lead to spinal injuries for both the riders and their passengers.
Four-wheelers and heavy vehicles are not spared either. These vehicles also face damage due to the rumble strips. To make matters worse, potholes are beginning to form on the roads near these strips. Despite numerous complaints from the public to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), no action has been taken so far.
In response to the growing concerns, former Municipal Minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) directed the authorities to stop installing new rumble strips after receiving multiple complaints. On May 16, 2023, the then Chief Engineer Ziauddin issued a memo instructing engineers to halt further installations. However, these directives seem to have been ignored, as rumble strips continue to be added in several areas.
Currently, new rumble strips are being installed on various roads, including those under the Comprehensive Road Maintenance Program (CRMP), on flyovers, and on roads managed by private contractors. For instance, rumble strips have been placed every half kilometer from Uppal to the Panjagutta intersection. They are also present on both sides of the Uppal Little Flower Circle intersection and every 200 meters on roads like Uppal Cricket Stadium Road, NGRI, Habsiguda, and Tarnaka.
Other affected areas include the Biodiversity intersection flyover, the Sheikhpet and Road No. 45 flyovers, LB Nagar flyovers, and both sides of the Kukatpally National Highway at around 30 locations. This widespread installation has left motorists frustrated and concerned for their safety.
According to engineers, the purpose of rumble strips is to prevent accidents. The Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines recommend that rumble strips should be between 2.5mm and 15mm in height, with specific standards for spacing. Unfortunately, many contractors are not adhering to these guidelines, leading to poorly constructed strips that are hazardous for road users.
Motorists continue to call for stricter enforcement of regulations and immediate action to address the issues caused by these improperly installed rumble strips.
