Traffic slowdown in Mehdipatnam as skywalk construction near Rythu Bazaar leads to closure of two lanes between Rethibowli Junction and SD Eye Hospital | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Hyderabad’s Saturday began under heavy traffic watch as the city played host to many high-profile movements and major public events, though a lighter holiday season offered some respite to commuters.
Traffic alerts were issued during the day for the President’s movement from Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bollarum, to Gachibowli and for the Vice President’s journey from Begumpet Airport to Lok Bhavan.
In the city centre, preparations for a Christmas feast at the LB Stadium, expected to attract about 10,000 visitors and to be attended by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, have been added to the planning matrix for the traffic police.
In addition to VIP transfers, roadworks also contributed to localized congestion. In Mehdipatnam, the construction of the skywalk near Rythu Bazaar, which began on Friday, led to the closure of two lanes between Rethibowli Junction and SD Eye Hospital. The restriction forced buses and other vehicles to pull onto the remaining carriageway, slowing movement on the stretch.
Traffic slowed down in Mehdipatnam as the construction of the skywalk near Rythu Bazaar led to the closure of two lanes between Rethibowli Junction and SD Eye Hospital. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Motorists have been advised to avoid the corridor between pillar number 40 and 1 of the PVNR highway with diversions in place via Nanal Nagar, Gudimalkapur and Asif Nagar depending on the direction of travel.
Around 11 am, the traffic police reported slow-moving traffic near Joyalukkas stretch, with the traffic jam spilling towards Shalibanda Road in the direction of Rajesh Medical Hall. Warnings have also been issued for possible slowdowns at Balamrai Junction and along the stretch from GP Complex and Fathenagar Bridge towards Balkampet Temple Road.
Traffic slowdown on Shalibanda Road due to road work near Joyalukkas | Photo credit: By arrangement
Despite the numerous triggers, morning traffic was largely manageable. Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis said lower-than-usual vehicle volumes, caused by year-end holidays and breaks in the IT sector, helped ease pressure on the roads. “At this stage, we don’t anticipate much congestion. Diversions are dynamic and will be implemented only if necessary,” he said, adding that Mehdipatnam was the only section under active restrictions earlier in the day.
Additional curbs were also in place in the Aramgarh-Attapur belt after the road works near Mythri Hospital near Pista House in Aramgarh. Cyberabad traffic police has advised several diversions for Attapur and Mehdipatnam-bound vehicles from Durganagar, Bahadurpura and Shamshabad. Commuters were diverted via the Aramgarh underpass, Manmohan Singh flyover, Shivrampally Kaman and stretches along the PVNR highway, with police warning that these diversions could slow down traffic on the link roads, especially during peak hours.
Traffic advisory issued for Aramgarh-Attapur belt after road works near Mythri Hospital. | Photo credit: By arrangement
Attention now shifts to the evening hours, when VIP convoys and crowds are expected to overlap. In Cyberabad, traffic jams are expected between 3 pm and 7 pm on key routes including Cable Bridge, IKEA flyover, Highway No. 45, Gachibowli and IIIT junctions to coincide with the President’s visit to the Brahma Kumaris Centre.
Published – 20 Dec 2025 20:48 IST
