Sankranthi rush chokes traffic on NH-65 as people head home for festival

Amaravati: Just a day ahead of the Sankranthi festival, National Highway 65 was jam-packed with vehicles heading from Hyderabad to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as people headed home to celebrate the festival. After three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year is seeing a more festive spirit.

On 13 January, a sea of vehicles lined up to cross the Panthangi toll plaza near Choutuppal in Telangana district, heading towards Andhra Pradesh. Panthangi toll plaza in Nalgonda and Unguturu toll in Krishna district witnessed heavy vehicular traffic. The same rush continued the next day.

"We have 16 booths at Panthangi toll plaza, of which 10 are open for vehicles moving towards Vijayawada. Additional staff has been deployed to manage the traffic," said a manager of the Panthagi toll plaza. Witnessing a huge rush, the toll plaza staff are requesting people to get sufficient balance in their FASTag. Many people need more balance which is delaying the movement of traffic.

Meanwhile, to avoid road accidents during the festival, the Telugu states have deployed traffic police at all major junctions. "We have seen heavy vehicular movement compared to the previous years. The speed limit is kept at 80 on the NH, and a Rs. 1,000 fine is imposed if a vehicle crosses the speed limit. This is all to avoid road accidents," said the traffic police.

Every Sankranthi, which is one of the important festivals of South India, families celebrate together in their native villages, which have cock fights and various competitions. Many people living in Hyderabad are from neighbouring districts and they make sure they are in their towns for the festival.

"After three years of pandemic, this year we are heading to our village in Bhimavaram to celebrate Sankranthi. We missed three years of festive vibes, and this year, no matter what, we decided to go home," said Swathi who is travelling from Hyderabad to Bhimavaram.