Sankranti traffic advisory: Check out these routes, diversions while travelling on Hyderabad–Vijayawada NH

Hyderabad: Traffic authorities have issued an advisory urging motorists to exercise heightened caution while travelling on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway, one of the busiest corridors in the country.

The advisory was issued in view of the huge rush during the Sankranti festival.

Ongoing construction works, underpasses, flyovers, and service roads at several locations have significantly increased the risk of congestion and accidents, especially during the festive rush.

Heavy traffic expected during Sankranti

Every year, the Sankranti holidays trigger a massive movement of vehicles from Hyderabad towards Andhra Pradesh. This year, with January 10 being a second Saturday, officials expect traffic to build up from Friday evening.

Last year, on the eve of Bhogi alone, as many as 84,262 vehicles crossed the Pantangi toll plaza. In the three days preceding the festival, traffic touched a record 2.07 lakh vehicles, underlining the scale of festive travel on this stretch.

On normal days, about 37,000–40,000 vehicles use the Choutuppal bus stand junction road, while weekends see traffic crossing 40,000 vehicles, often leading to bottlenecks.

Construction zones and possible bottlenecks

A stretch between Dandumalkapuram (Choutuppal mandal) and Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh has been identified as particularly sensitive, with 17 black spots.

Works currently underway include one flyover, 13 underpasses, and service roads at 10 locations. Even minor negligence in these zones could result in serious accidents, police warned.

Key problem areas include:

Hayathnagar and Abdullapurmet (Ranga Reddy district): Six-lane expansion works are stalled; temporary measures are being taken to ease festival traffic.

Choutuppal town: Absence of an underpass leads to frequent interruptions near the RTC bus stand, Narayanapuram, and Valigonda road junctions as pedestrians and local traffic cross the highway.

Nalgonda district: Incomplete underpasses at Peddakaparthy (Chityala) and Chityala town are causing slow movement and traffic jams.

Suryapet district: Road works and underpasses are underway at multiple points, including Tekumatla, SP College junction, Jammigadda, Kodad bypass, Mellacheruvu flyover, and several cross-roads up to the Andhra Pradesh border.

Traffic diversions announced

To manage congestion, police have drawn up detailed diversion plans:

Hyderabad to Guntur: Vehicles will be diverted at Narketpally via Nalgonda – Miryalaguda – Piduguralla.

Rajamahendravaram–Visakhapatnam:

Traffic will be diverted via Nakerkal – Arvapalli – Maripeda Bangla – Khammam. If congestion persists, vehicles will be routed from Tekumatla to the Khammam National Highway.

Hyderabad–Vijayawada: The Tekumatla diversion will be temporarily lifted, with a newly built temporary road allowing direct movement on the national highway.

Khammam–Hyderabad: Vehicles will be diverted via Chivvemla and Ailapuram to enable smooth entry towards Suryapet and Hyderabad.

Drone surveillance and highway patrol

Suryapet district police have announced drone-based surveillance along the highway during the festival period. Any unusual build-up of traffic will be addressed immediately.

Teams led by Circle Inspectors from Suryapet Rural, Suryapet Town, Munagala, Kodad, and Kodad Rural will monitor traffic continuously for five days before and after the festival. Cranes, ambulances, towing vehicles, and four highway patrol units have been kept on standby.

Focus on black spots and safety measures.

Across the district, 24 accident-prone black spots have been identified. Authorities have installed CCTV cameras, warning signboards, and street lighting, repaired potholes, and removed unnecessary barricades to improve safety at dangerous crossings.

Police appeal: Control Speed, Avoid Rash Driving

“There is no substitute for patience on the road. Motorists must strictly adhere to speed limits and traffic rules. Our goal is to ensure everyone celebrates Sankranti happily and returns home safely,” said K. Narasimha, Superintendent of Police, Suryapet

Satellite-based toll collection trial at Pantangi

Meanwhile, to reduce waiting time at toll plazas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also conducted a satellite-based automatic toll collection trial at the Pantangi toll plaza on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway on Thursday evening.

The plaza has 16 toll booths, of which eight booths on the Vijayawada-bound side were used for the trial. Cameras and sensors were tested to check whether vehicle numbers were accurately detected and toll amounts deducted automatically without vehicles stopping.

Officials noted minor glitches where the toll was not deducted for some vehicles and are working to rectify them. If traffic surges, two additional booths will be opened, where FASTag payments will be scanned using handheld devices.

Once fully operational, the system is expected to allow up to 20 vehicles per minute to pass through a booth, significantly easing congestion during peak festive travel, the NHAI officials said.