Post-Sankranti traffic surge on ORR and Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway

Toll plazas at the Outer Ring Road (ORR) recorded a Sankranti rush, with traffic volumes rising to 2.40 lakh vehicles per day. Officials reported a sharp increase in vehicle movement as families returning from hometowns for the festivities came back to the city over the weekend.

“Traffic on the ORR and its exits is recording a noticeable surge, with daily vehicle volumes rising from an average of about 2,10,000 to around 2,35,000 to 2,40,000,” an HGCL official said.

At the Shamshabad crossing, traffic rose from about 30,000 vehicles a day to 35,000. At the Pedda Amberpet junction on the Vijayawada highway, volumes went up from 18,000 to over 20,000 vehicles.

Officials said the increase was driven largely by



personal vehicles as families returned to the city during the holidays. Overall, total traffic on these routes is estimated to be up by about 10 to 12 per cent during the festival period.

Vehicles entering the city through toll plazas on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway started to rise on Saturday after Sankranti festival celebrations, with heavy flow increasing on Sunday evening. Toll plaza managements said traffic flow was likely to increase further on Sunday night and continue until Monday morning.

Traffic cops at ORR toll plazas are handling the festive rush and ensuring free-flow movement. Cranes have been deployed in case of vehicle breakdowns, with towing arrangements in place to avoid inconvenience and traffic congestion.