Hyderabad authorities test counterflow bus lanes to ease IT corridor traffic

Cyberabad traffic police are studying a proposal to introduce a counterflow bus rapid transit system to help public transport move faster through the city's busy IT corridor.

Proposal Details

The plan under review covers the route from JNTU Junction to Raidurgam Metro Station via HITEC City, with a possible extension toward Waverock and the Financial District. Officials discussed the idea at a coordination meeting on Thursday following a survey by the Foundation for Resources and Innovations Policy and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council. Authorities also carried out a physical trial on Thursday evening to check actual traffic movement and merging conditions, while simulation studies looked at both counterflow and kerb-side options.

Challenges

Several hurdles must be addressed before the system can launch, including inadequate bus bays, roadside parking, encroachments, poor lane discipline, random pedestrian crossings, unauthorized vehicle stops, junction conflicts, and poor pedestrian facilities. Joint Commissioner of Police for Traffic Sunpreet Singh directed the Foundation for Resources and Innovations Policy to reassess the proposed lane, specifically focusing on the merging point at Raidurgam where buses must return to regular traffic. TGSRTC currently runs up to 15 buses an hour on this route and plans to add more services to boost public transport use and lower private vehicle dependence.

Context

Traffic congestion in major Indian technology hubs is a growing challenge as office populations expand faster than road networks can grow. Public transport priority lanes are a common urban planning tool used globally to make bus travel faster and more reliable than driving private cars, encouraging commuters to switch modes.