Tarnaka Junction underpass to be closed again

Tarnaka junction underpass to close due to traffic congestion, accidents, and need for road widening, says Hyderabad Traffic Police.

Fifty days after it reopened for a trial run, the Tarnaka junction underpass will be closed again from Friday, 6 June. The Hyderabad Traffic Police confirmed that the route will remain shut unless the roads are widened to handle the current traffic load.

The junction, which had been shut for nearly a decade, was reopened on April 18 on a trial basis to test its potential for easing traffic congestion between Lalapet and Osmania University. Instead, it ended up creating more traffic snarls. Traffic Police officers acknowledged that the trial has stretched the congestion from Tarnaka to Habsiguda especially during peak hours.

A senior traffic officer stated that most commuters travelling between Habsiguda and Mettuguda have been avoiding the underpass and are opting for the flyover instead. Although the signal below remains operational, but with the flyover offering a free run, more vehicles are using it, causing heavy congestion on the approach roads, said a police officer.

Additionally, those heading from Habsiguda to Osmania University are getting caught in conflicting traffic from Lalaguda, as the road width near the junction is not enough to handle two merging streams. The ‘free left’ turn from Lalaguda to Habsiguda is also getting blocked regularly, adding to the gridlock. Further complicating the situation, a metro pillar along the University – Habsiguda stretch has further restricted vehicle movement, making manoeuvring difficult and reducing the number of vehicles passing per signal cycle.

A police spokesman said that despite the localised benefit for residents in the surrounding colonies, the overall traffic disruption outweighed any advantage. “Unless there is a concrete plan to widen the roads here, this route cannot be opened again,” said the officer.

During the trial, two accidents were reported, one fatal and one non-fatal, both linked to signal jumping. Simulation studies using drone visuals, Google Maps data, and feedback from commuters, all pointed to recurring traffic mismanagement at the junction.