Sat Jan 17 17:37:07 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Post-Sankranti Exodus Overwhelms National Highway 65, Crippling Traffic in Hyderabad

The Story:

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, National Highway 65, the crucial link between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, experienced severe traffic congestion as residents returned to Hyderabad following the Sankranti festival. The surge in vehicular traffic, beginning around 4 p.m., resulted in bumper-to-bumper traffic and prompted extensive diversions by the police to prevent a complete standstill. Authorities estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 vehicles crossed the Panthangi toll plaza on Saturday alone, with the flow anticipated to continue throughout the night. The situation particularly worsened near Kodad, requiring the police to reroute heavy vehicles to ease pressure on the main highway.

The congestion impacted several towns along the route, most notably Miryalaguda, which became a convergence point for traffic diverted from NH 65 and traffic from other major cities such as Guntur, Macherla, and Tirupati. Over 500 officials from the Nalgonda police were deployed to manage the chaotic traffic flow, implementing diversions throughout the region. Closer to Hyderabad, over 150 traffic police personnel were stationed at Choutuppal to manage the incoming traffic.

Key Points:

  • National Highway 65 experienced severe traffic congestion on January 17, 2026 due to post-Sankranti travel.
  • An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles crossed the Panthangi toll plaza on Saturday.
  • Heavy vehicles were diverted near Kodad to Huzurnagar, Miryalaguda, and other areas.
  • Miryalaguda became a major traffic bottleneck due to multiple diversions.
  • Over 500 Nalgonda police officials were deployed to manage the traffic.
  • Traffic was diverted at various points, including Marriguda bypass, Chityal, and Nagarjunasagar.
  • 150 traffic police were deployed at Choutuppal, a key entry point to Hyderabad.

Key Takeaways:

  • Post-festival travel continues to place significant strain on infrastructure, particularly National Highways.
  • Effective traffic management requires large-scale deployment of personnel and proactive diversion strategies.
  • The convergence of traffic from multiple sources can create significant bottlenecks in smaller towns like Miryalaguda.
  • Real-time monitoring through surveillance drones is becoming a crucial tool for traffic management.

Impact Analysis:

The traffic chaos on NH 65 highlights the need for long-term infrastructure improvements and better planning for peak travel periods. This event underscores the potential for significant economic disruption due to transportation delays and suggests a need for investment in alternate routes or expansion of existing highways. Furthermore, improved coordination between different district police departments is critical for effective traffic management during such events. The deployment of drones indicates a technological shift in how authorities are responding to these challenges, potentially leading to more efficient traffic flow in the future.

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