Hyderabad Traffic: Enough Is Enough
I love Hyderabad.
It is a city full of energy, ambition, and growth.
But every day on its roads, that energy turns into frustration.
Traffic is no longer just an inconvenience.
It has become a daily stress.
1. The Basics Are Missing
Let’s start with something simple.
Lane markings - or the lack of it.
Many roads do not have them.
Where they exist, they fade away or suddenly disappear.
Near the entrance to the Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge close to Inorbit Mall Hyderabad, lanes just end.
When lanes are unclear, vehicles spread out randomly.
Drivers cannot stay in lane even if they want to.
And yet we are told to follow lane discipline. How?
While there are guidelines on it (IRC 35:2015 is the primary standard governing road lane markings in India, including Telangana, with local implementations often referencing UTTIPEC guidelines and Cyberabad Traffic Police specifications.) Why aren't the guidelines being followed uniformly?
2. The Way We Drive
But this is not only about infrastructure. It is also about us.
Too many people on our roads are in a hurry to cut corners.
We try to get ahead by a few seconds.
We take shortcuts.
We break rules because we think it does not matter, and there is no fool proof way to be penalized or repercussion.
Wrong side driving has become normal.
Signals are ignored.
Indicators are rarely used.
There is very little respect for other drivers.
We do not think about right of way.
We do not think about safety.
We only think about getting ahead.
This mindset creates chaos. And then we blame the police and officials for traffic jams.
3. Everyday Disorder
Driving in the city feels unpredictable.
Autos stop wherever they want.
Buses block multiple lanes.
Vehicles turn from the wrong lanes.
Two wheelers cross the stop line at signals.
Even simple things like free left turns get blocked (RTC buses block the free left turn lanes).
Every small violation adds up.
Together, they slow down the entire city.
4. The Outer Ring Road Reality
The Hyderabad Outer Ring Road is world class. But the way it is used is not.
Fast lanes are blocked by slow vehicles - predominantly cabs.
Drivers do not give way.
Trucks are parked where they should not be.
Large vehicles take up more than one lane.
The result is simple.
Even great infrastructure cannot deliver its promise.
5. Roads That Are Not Ready
Many roads are poorly maintained.
Potholes are common. Internal colony roads are often worse than main roads.
Speed breakers appear without planning and without clear markings.
U-turns and junctions are poorly designed.
Encroachments make things worse - Hawkers take up road/ footpath space.
Vehicles are parked without order.
The road becomes narrower than it was meant to be.
6. Nights Are No Better
At night, high beam headlights blind you on city roads.
It becomes harder to see.
Harder to react.
Harder to stay safe.
7. The Larger Problem
This is not just a traffic issue. It is a systems issue.
Infrastructure is incomplete.
Enforcement is inconsistent.
Planning is weak.
And civic sense is missing.
In many countries, traffic flows smoothly.
Not because people are in less of a hurry.
But because systems work.
Rules are followed.
And people respect each other on the road.
A Citizen’s Appeal
Hyderabad deserves better. We need:
- Proper lane markings
- Better road design and maintenance
- Strict action on wrong side driving
- Lane discipline on expressways
- Clear parking rules
- Removal of encroachments
- And above all, we need a change in mindset.
As citizens, we must do better.
As authorities, there must be accountability.
This is a request to Hyderabad Traffic Police and Cyberabad Traffic Police.
Please take strong, visible action.
Because for millions of us, this is not just traffic. This is our everyday life.
And enough is enough.
