Sankranti Exodus Creates Massive Traffic Snarls on NH-65
Heavy traffic congestion gripped National Highway-65 between Vijayawada and Hyderabad this weekend. Thousands of people created long vehicle queues as they returned to Hyderabad after celebrating Sankranti in their native places across Andhra Pradesh.
Festival Travel Tradition Meets Modern Gridlock
Sankranti remains the biggest festival in Andhra Pradesh. People traditionally travel to their hometowns for celebrations regardless of where they live or work. With festival activities concluding, return travel picked up sharply from Saturday. Commuters began heading back to Hyderabad to resume work and business activities starting Monday.
Massive traffic volumes were reported from multiple regions. Vehicles streamed toward Hyderabad from Visakhapatnam, Bhimavaram, Guntur and other areas. The surge created significant delays at several toll plazas along the route.
Vijayawada Sees Smoother Movement with Bypass Opening
Traffic movement within Vijayawada city remained relatively smoother. The opening of the West Bypass helped considerably. This infrastructure allowed vehicles bound for Hyderabad and Chennai to avoid entering city limits entirely.
However, congestion still emerged at key junctions. Ibrahimpatnam Junction experienced particular bottlenecks due to the sudden surge in vehicular movement. The increased traffic volume tested infrastructure capacity at this critical point.
Police Implement Safety Measures for Returning Travellers
Vijayawada Police responded proactively to the heavy traffic conditions. Their priority focused on ensuring safe return journeys for all travellers after the festival celebrations.
Authorities implemented several precautionary measures to prevent accidents. They installed warning banners and caution signs at vulnerable points along the highway. Police specifically advised motorists travelling at night to take regular breaks. They recommended washing faces and refreshing themselves before continuing their journeys.
Passengers Face Fare Hikes While APSRTC Provides Relief
Meanwhile, passengers encountered another challenge during their return trips. Some private bus operators steeply increased fares on the Hyderabad route. This price surge added financial pressure to the already stressful travel experience.
To manage the festival rush, APSRTC operated additional ordinary services to Hyderabad. These extra buses provided much-needed relief to returning travellers. The government transport corporation's intervention helped accommodate the massive passenger volume seeking to return to Hyderabad after Sankranti celebrations.
The annual Sankranti migration continues to test Andhra Pradesh's transportation infrastructure. While traditions bring families together, the subsequent return travel creates predictable congestion challenges on major highways like NH-65.
