Try negotiating Hyderabad’s numerous roundabouts during peak office hours and you’re sure to wonder what’s up with the traffic. Originally planned with the aim of easing traffic snarls, it’s anyone’s guess whether roundabouts are serving their purpose these days.

Experts say Hyderabad’s ever-increasing vehicular load is the reason the once-efficient roundabouts have been rendered inefficient. “When the traffic at a roundabout crosses 4,500-5,000 units (cars), the roundabout becomes non-effective. The flow of traffic is affected and this leads to congestion,” Dr PK Sarkar, director (transport) at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, said.

Backing up Sarkar’s observation is the staggering rise in the number of registered vehicles. According to the statistical handbook, the state capital recorded a 64 per cent rise in vehicular registrations in 2015-16. Around 5 lakh vehicles were registered in 2017 alone.

Sarkar, a former professor in the transport planning department of the School of Planning and Architecture, said roundabouts had their own merits and demerits. “The presence of roundabouts ensures non-interrupted traffic flow and also eliminates direct conflict points, enhancing safety of commuters,” he said.

ALSO READ:  'Terror Exploitation' Fear Is The Concern, Persecuted, Rohingyas Find Squalid Slums Safe In Hyderabad

On the other hand, their capacity is very low and even a slight rise in traffic renders them inefficient. “You can see a locking effect happen,” he said, adding that the gap approach – keeping a certain distance between vehicles — is lost when this happens.

The concept of roundabouts is not new to the city. It was first suggested by Lord Hardinge and later last Nizam of Hydrabad state as an alternative to the New York-like grid setting that an earlier city planner had recommended. Hardinge insisted that roundabouts must be a part of the city’s landscape to decrease the intensity of dust storms that frequently hit Hyderabad.

Speaking of the difference between roundabouts in developed countries and those in India, Sarkar said that most roundabouts in countries like England were mini-roundabouts. “The number of vehicles is fewer there compared to India. Also, the traffic in England is very disciplined. More than anything else, there needs to be a shift in the mindset of people for traffic rules to work in India,” he said, adding that cyclists and pedestrians also need to be taken into account while installing a roundabout.

ALSO READ:  ‍The Magnificent Diwan '‍Salar Jung Bahadur' - The Enigma Behind Three Generations of Nizam Rule In Hyderabad State

The former professor called for a stronger political system to improve traffic conditions. “Very often you see the rich and the affluent being let off for traffic violations. This must stop,” he said.

According to him, the roundabouts near Assembly, Secretariat, Moazamjahi market, Mehdipatnam, Secunderabad, Malakpet, Himayatnagar and Dilsukhnagar, had been effective earlier but were now grappling under the pressure of vehicular traffic. “We had suggested an innovative design for the Banjara Hills roundabout in view of the surroundings. But due to some issues, it was not cleared. A normal structure was installed there,” Sarkar said.

ALSO READ:  What's Behind The Deep Silence Of Arvind Kejriwal?

So what needs to be done to ensure roundabouts are effective? According to Sarkar, an ideal roundabout must have a diameter of at least 30 metres. “Also, proper entry/exit angles, preferably 90 degrees, must be provided and there must be proper signage to prepare the commuter for the oncoming roundabout,” he said.

Speaking of possible solutions, Sarkar said converting the roundabouts to signalled intersections would help ease congestion.

Whose idea were roundabouts?
– First proposed by Lord Hardinge and Last Nizams
– Most roundabouts in Lutyens zone

What are the problem areas?
– Increased vehicular traffic congests roundabouts
– Some roundabouts not big enough
– Entry/exit angles not always 90 degrees

What’s the car count? 64 per cent rise in vehicle registrations in 2015-16,
5 lakh new vehicles registered last year, 5000 is the maximum number of vehicles a roundabout can handle. #KhabarLive

SHARE
Previous article‘Boat Race’ Marks Beginning Of Sankranti Festival In Vijayawada
Next articleNow, Another ‘PadMan 2.0’: Indian Teen Creates High-Tech, Anti-Rape Undies
A senior journalist having 25 years of experience in national and international publications and media houses across the globe in various positions. A multi-lingual personality with desk multi-tasking skills. He belongs to Hyderabad in India. Ahssanuddin's work is driven by his desire to create clarity, connection, and a shared sense of purpose through the power of the written word. His background as an writer informs his approach to writing. Years of analyzing text and building news means that adapting to a reporting voice, tone, and unique needs comes as second nature.

13 COMMENTS

  1. I simply want to say I’m beginner to blogging and truly loved you’re web page. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your site . You actually come with superb article content. Many thanks for revealing your web page.

  2. Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of both monitors and pcs. They specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Capacitive touch screen, Resistive touch screen, Industrial touch screen, IP65 touch screen, touchscreen monitors and integrated touchscreen PCs. Contact them at http://www.faytech.us, 121 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, +1 646 205 3214

  3. Since 1998, Clean Services Northwest company has been offering window cleaning, window washers, window cleaners to companies, businesses and organizations in the greater Portland Metro Area, providing quality property maintenance services at a fair price. Clean Services Northwest specializes in window cleaning, pressure washing, carpet cleaning, and gutter cleaning. They also perform other specialized maintenance tasks, such as roof cleaning, vent cleaning, and construction cleanup. Our technicians will have your building or facility looking great, whether we have left the glass sparkling, the concrete brightened, the flooring spotless, or all of the above. Visit us at http://www.cleanservicesnorthwest.com/ or Clean Services Northwest, 8910 SE Fuller Rd, Happy Valley, OR 97086, USA

  4. It certainly is mostly close to impossible to find well-qualified women and men on this niche, fortunately you seem like you comprehend what you’re indicating! Bless You

  5. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  6. Hi, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!

  7. Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.

  8. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks

  9. I’m still learning from you, while I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly liked reading all that is written on your website.Keep the aarticles coming. I loved it!

  10. As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

Comments are closed.