Sun Jan 12 18:08:49 UTC 2025: ## Sankranti Exodus Causes Traffic Chaos in Hyderabad

**Hyderabad, January 12, 2025** – The annual Sankranti festival caused major traffic congestion in Hyderabad as thousands left the city for their hometowns. While the city center experienced relatively light traffic due to the exodus and the weekend, major highways and transit points were overwhelmed, leading to hours-long delays for travelers.

Software engineer B. Akhil, attempting to reach Kadapa, missed his bus despite leaving 45 minutes early due to heavy traffic. Another software engineer, Kireeti Prapulla, opted for a ₹4,000 car sharing service to reach Rajahmundry after finding buses and trains fully booked. Even those who left late at night faced significant delays.

While key transit points like Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) and Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) were packed, Google Maps showed severe congestion radiating outwards from these locations. One resident, K. Sushil, noted a stark contrast between the quick journey from Nacharam to Kondapur in the morning and the 20-minute delay covering only 200 meters near JBS.

Despite the chaos, Hyderabad’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-II), N. Ashok Kumar, stated that overall city traffic remained manageable due to the large-scale exodus and the weekend. Around 800 traffic police officers were deployed for traffic management. Markets across the city, especially in Secunderabad, saw high demand for festive goods.

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