Protest throws traffic into a tailspin

Hyderabad: Commuters in the city were caught in traffic jams for over two hours on Saturday as the police barricaded busy junctions around Tank Bund to foil 'Chalo Tank Bund' protest by TSRTC JAC.

The police issued traffic restrictions which stated that traffic movement around Tank Bund would be diverted or stopped between 8 am and 5 pm due to 'Chalo Tank Bund' call by RTC JAC, but the vehicular movement was stopped from early morning hours on Saturday.

The police had denied permission for the conduct of protest by RTC JAC. Due to restrictions, traffic on alternate routes witnessed huge traffic jams.

Tank Bund, Lower Tank Bund, Telugu Talli Flyover, Indira Park Road, Secretariat Road, Necklace Road, Khairatabad Flyover and all other roads leading to the lake were barricaded by the police.

A commuter, R Mahesh Yadav, who takes the Kavadiguda road very often, said that the police set up barricades around Tank Bund which caused untold difficulties to reach destination on time.

NTR Park, Lumbini Park, Indira Park and Sanjeevaiah Park around Hussainsagar were out of bounds for visitors as a precautionary measure. Police set up check posts at entry points into Hyderabad to prevent TSRTC employees from entering the city.

Meanwhile, petty vendors like ice cream sellers, fruits and vegetable sellers were made to close shops or forcibly move from their spots due to the restrictions.

Jahangir, a fruit vendor who usually sets shop near Tank Bund said that it is the place where petty businesses make income, as the visitors and commuters come here in thousands daily.

Due to the protest and restriction we have to return home with no income for the day, he said.