Revanth Reddy's convoy moves in regular Hyderabad traffic after his own order
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's convoy travelled through regular traffic in Hyderabad on Thursday, 7 May, a day after he issued explicit instructions to senior police officials against halting public vehicles for VIP convoy movement. The convoy made its way from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad to his residence in Jubilee Hills following his return from New Delhi.
What Changed on the Ground
Acting on the Chief Minister's orders, traffic police allowed vehicles to move in a single lane alongside the convoy rather than bringing traffic to a complete halt — a visible departure from the standard VIP movement protocol that has long frustrated commuters in the city. The adjustment was visible along the airport-to-Jubilee Hills stretch, one of Hyderabad's busiest arterial routes.
What Prompted the Order
The directive followed an incident on Wednesday when severe traffic congestion near the airport disrupted public movement while Revanth Reddy was departing for Delhi. Taking serious note of the gridlock, he instructed Director General of Police C.V. Anand to initiate appropriate action against officials responsible for the lapses. He also directed that vehicles from the opposite direction should not be unnecessarily stopped, and that convoy-related traffic regulation must minimise public inconvenience at all times.
What the DGP Said and Did
According to a statement from the DGP's office, DGP C.V. Anand on Wednesday convened a video conference with all Sub-Inspector and above-rank officers of Law and Order and Traffic Police across all commissionerates in the state. He issued key instructions and observed that the Chief Minister's repeated concern over the issue underlines its gravity, calling upon field officers to address it with the utmost seriousness. DGP Anand had earlier stated that the Chief Minister directed police to ensure no inconvenience is caused to the general public during the movement of the Chief Minister and other VIPs across Telangana.
The Broader Directive
The Chief Minister emphasised that people should not be made to wait on roads for prolonged periods due to his convoy. He further stressed that strict action must be taken against officials found negligent in discharging their duties. The instructions apply not just to the Chief Minister's convoy but to all VIP movements across the state — a signal that the administration intends to institutionalise the change rather than treat it as a one-off gesture. Whether field-level compliance holds beyond the initial spotlight will determine the real impact of these directives.