Kurnool: Traffic congestion in Kurnool continues to be a major problem, as road expansion, new roads and lane widening plans are still in the initial stages.
The city has a population of around 6.5 lakh. But there are more than 4 lakh vehicles moving on its roads. Citizens are thus facing difficulties in navigating the roads. Adding to the congestion, people from surrounding areas of Kurnool visit the city for various needs, worsening the traffic situation.
The Old Town, a key business area, is the worst affected. There are around 25,000 auto-rickshaws moving around in the city. Auto drivers are the most undisciplined, stopping anywhere they please and often violating traffic rules.
Even though traffic police are present at several key locations, there is little enforcement. When fines are imposed, they are often too meagre to deter violators. Lack of strict action allows auto-rickshaws to continue disrupting smooth traffic flow, making commuting difficult for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Another major issue is illegal parking. Vehicles are parked randomly on roads, causing bottlenecks and traffic jams that sometimes last for hours. Though authorities occasionally take action, their measures are often insufficient, as the traffic problem persists.
Several road expansion projects have been proposed. But they are yet to be implemented. For example, the widening of the roads from Kids World to Osmania College via Budhawarpet and from Ambedkar Statue to the Big Market in the Old City remains on paper.
Similarly, the much-needed expansion of a dangerous bend near the Government Medical College has not been carried out, reportedly due to political interference. Widening of roads in Madduru Nagar has been delayed for years, leaving residents frustrated.
The situation at the Bellary intersection is a key example of the city’s worsening traffic conditions. Vehicles coming from Hyderabad frequently get stuck here, leading to long delays.
Minister T.G. Bharath, who represents the city constituency, had proposed a new road from SAP Camp to the new bus stand to ease congestion. But this project, like many others, has seen no progress. With summer approaching, the situation will become worse due to the heat.
“We already struggle to move along the road during peak hours. In the coming months, waiting in traffic under the scorching sun will be exhausting,” said K. Ramakrishna, a resident of Guru Raghavendra Nagar, who crosses Bellary Chowrasta daily.
Many citizens believe the state government lacks the political will to address these longstanding issues. “We expected the coalition government to take action, but nothing has changed,” said K. Maddileti, a trader from the C-Camp area.
