Driving on wrong side a major problem here

Yousufguda: Vehicles moving towards Punjagutta from Ameerpet often travel on the wrong side putting other motorists at risk. Lack of enforcement and tardy action against offenders has added to the problem.

"Vehicles, especially two-wheelers don't care about traffic regulations and drive on the wrong side endangering motorists coming from Ameerpet," said Ganesh Behera, a businessman who stays at Indira Nagar.

Behera said most vehicles intending to enter the by-lanes along the main road move on the wrong side. The only U-turnon the stretch after Mitrivanam is at Punjagutta. The traffic police closed the one in front of Meridian Hotel at Punjagutta more than a month ago and it's a very long drive for the commuters to take the turn.

"There is absolutely no monitoring by the traffic police to check offenders on Ameerpet road" said Akash Sarangi, a resident of Srinagar Colony. The intersection near Yousufguda Basthi is another spot where wrong-side driving has become a menace. Motorists emerging from Yousufguda and going towards Rahamath Nagar and Out-post drive on the wrong side, addition of trouble on this busy intersection is, auto rickshaws wait to pick up passengers.

The stretch near the Indira Nagar up road leading to Jubilee hills from the Yousufguda sees plenty of wrong-side driving mostly during nights. "Wrong-side driving is extremely dangerous because cars, on an average, travel at 40kmph. Also, a large number of trucks use the roads, Yousufguda Crossroads are becoming perilous for those driving on the wrong side, they must stop doing it for their safety" said Babu, a traffic cop.

Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Chauhan said the cops would shortly identify the spots where wrong-side driving was rampant. "We will take action against offenders," he assured. Driving on the wrong side of the road is considered a traffic violation under Section 119/117 of the Motor Vehicles Act. An offender may be fined up to Rs 1,100.