Poorly planned TSRTC bus stops create traffic blocks in city
HYDERABAD: The lack of adequate bus bays and haphazardly planned locations for the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses is adding to traffic congestions in the city.The Hyderabad traffic police have compiled a list of locations in the city where bus stops are causing traffic congestions, and have submitted the list to TSRTC officials, hoping to find a solution. The traffic department has identified as many as 20 bus stops within Greater Hyderabad limits that need to be relocated, and have shared the information with TSRTC and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials at a district committee level meet between various local government agencies in January.
One of the most notorious RTC buses-led traffic hotspots is the road in front of the Secunderabad railway station. The narrow road, on most parts of the day, is clogged with RTC buses, railway passengers and pedestrians. This leaves little space for the buses to halt.While the traffic police want to shift the bus stop, there exists no convenient location adjacent to the railway station, said the RTC officials.
As many as six buses to different routes don’t have sufficient bus stops from the railway station bus stop. The traffic police said the RTC drivers stop the buses on the middle of the road and wait for passengers leading to traffic snarls.
“We are in talks with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the traffic police, plans are being chalked to identify government lands next to the bus stops that can be used as bus bays. Talks are also being held with landowners next to the bus stops to find a suitable arrangement. The process is being taken up on an urgent basis,” said Kumaraiyah, regional manager, Hyderabad, TSRTC.
Sharp bends add to woes
At the Raithfile bus stop opposite Bombay Anand Bhavan, Secunderabad buses to six routes have to take a right turn at Anand Bhavan. But due to the narrow road and sharp bend, bus drivers struggle to take the turn. “I have to reverse and try again and when I turn I have to make sure there is no vehicle coming from the opposite side,” said a bus driver seeking anonymity.