On an average, 50 lives are lost in traffic accidents each year here. And if blame is to be apportioned, then bad condition, planning and improper usage of road stretches do not escape responsibility.
So pathetic are the conditions of road and traffic at Vanasthalipuram that about 150 accidents, with one-third of them ending up as fatalities, have been reported here for last five years. Highlighting this fact, the Comprehensive Transportation Study (CTS) taken up on behalf of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has called for appropriate measures to tackle the problem under its Immediate Action Plan report.
The study by LEA Associates South Asia pointed out that high speeds on the NH-9 contributed to unsafe conditions for pedestrians and vehicles alike and said that Vanasthalipuram, a predominantly residential area, lacked pedestrian facilities and necessary traffic calming measure.
The area is surrounded by three major roads, NH-9, Nagarjuna Sagar Road and the Ring Road, and has four important junctions i.e., Panama Junction, Sushma Theatre Junction, B.N.Reddy Colony Junction and FCI Colony Junction, for access.
“The roads/streets in the area are void off pedestrian facilities, and appropriate traffic regulating measures are suggested to ensure safe and efficient movement of traffic and pedestrians alike,” the CTS report recommends.
Under traffic characteristics, the study documented that nearly 2.50 lakh vehicles enter and exit the area on daily basis. Also, a total of 271 buses serve the area performing 2,935 trips on daily basis of which 1,175 trips cater to the patronage demand here. The transportation network, the report pointed out, lacked necessary facilities for a smooth, efficient and safe movement of the local residents.
Parking woes
The Immediate Action Plan of the study also recorded the oversaturated conditions prevailing at the Rythu Bazar apart from unorganised stalls, unregulated parking and heavy pedestrian demand often spilling over to the road.
The need for reorganising the space and enforcing a regulated parking were considered as urgently needed to improve the traffic flow.
The woes and risks of the local residents get compounded by unregulated truck parking along Byramalguda Bypass road. Given lack of designated bus terminal, the intercity bus operations occur along N-9 and the buses park randomly at any available space on the highway to pick up passengers.
Also, the vehicle speed along NH-9 is relatively considered to be on a higher range, thus worsening safety aspect further.
