The City Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) G Sudheer Babu spoke to Hans India’s reporter MM Farooqui about the traffic issues in Hyderabad. The main problems are traffic congestion, drunken driving, problems with traffic signals and congestion on roads. The traffic police’s primary aim is to ensure safety and welfare of the commuters and integrate technology for their benefit. Accidents have gradually decreased and a group has been created for scientific evaluation of every road collision. The police also coordinate with other departments to ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians. 65 major spots have been identified for engineering intervention to improve safety.
Drunken driving has become a major problem in the city. Hyderabad traffic police conduct checks between 12am and 3am, and special teams identify high risk areas where drunken drivers use and conduct checking. A sub-inspector has been made in-charge of the special teams, and violators are taken into custody and are produced before the court.
The traffic police regularly conducts awareness campaign on traffic rules and road safety in schools, colleges, offices, and road corners. People should follow the rules for their safety whether a cop is present or not.
Hyderabad city is the fastest growing city with over 19 lakh new vehicles coming on road in the last three years. The traffic police have taken various initiatives to streamline the traffic including diversions, awareness, ROPE operation, deploying police officer from 6am to 12am on major junctions in the city. Heavy vehicles and private buses are not allowed to enter city before 10 pm, Adaptive traffic control system etc are in place. They are using the world’s best traffic management technology.