Hyderabad, Jan 11 (NationPress) The national highway connecting Hyderabad and Vijayawada was bustling with vehicles last Sunday as countless families traveled back to their hometowns for Sankranti, the most significant festival celebrated in both Telugu states.

Cars, buses, and various transport vehicles formed lengthy queues at toll plazas, although authorities implemented special strategies to alleviate the traffic.

A significant influx was observed at the Pattangi toll plaza near Hyderabad from the early morning hours, with many heading towards towns and villages in Telangana and the adjacent Andhra Pradesh.

Given the week-long holiday for educational institutions, numerous families were seen packing their belongings to return home. Many chose to use personal vehicles, contributing to the heavy traffic on the national highway.

Due to the overwhelming number of vehicles, authorities activated extra gates at Pattangi. Officials noted that the Fast Tag system facilitated smoother vehicle movement at the toll plaza.

According to toll plaza staff, approximately 70,000 vehicles traveled from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh between 6 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday, with expectations for numbers to rise further throughout Sunday.

Traffic was crawling, with what usually takes one hour from Hyderabad to Pattangi extending to 3-4 hours. A traffic jam stretching over a kilometer was reported at Pattangi.

Patrolling vehicles, cranes, and ambulances were also stationed at Pattangi, Korlapahad, and Chillakallu toll plazas. Measures were taken to ensure the effective operation of the fast-tag system at the toll plaza.

Severe congestion was noted at Peddakaparthy and Chityala in the Nalgonda district, exacerbated by ongoing road construction.

Authorities advised motorists to consider an alternative route to Vijayawada via Bhongir. Senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, were on-site monitoring vehicle movements.

In Suryapet district, police redirected traffic bound for Khammam and Rajahmundry through alternate paths.

Parts of Hyderabad and its outskirts experienced heavy traffic until late Saturday night. A significant jam was reported at Nandigama in the NTR district of Andhra Pradesh, with thousands of vehicles entering the state from Hyderabad. Roadwork contributed to the congestion at the Y Junction in Nandigama.

The government of Telangana had requested the Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to permit toll-free travel on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway during the Sankranti festivities.

Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy sent a letter to Gadkari seeking temporary toll-free travel from January 9 to January 18 to alleviate the festive traffic surge.

He highlighted that the highway experiences a 200 percent increase in traffic during the festive season.

The state minister recently held a review meeting, directing officials to take proactive measures to prevent traffic issues during Sankranti. He insisted on a well-structured action plan based on previous experiences.

Meanwhile, railway and bus stations in Hyderabad were also crowded with travelers heading to various destinations across both Telugu states.

With the Sankranti holidays for all educational institutions starting on Saturday, families were seen getting ready to reunite with their loved ones in their hometowns for the harvest festival on January 14.

Special trains and buses are being introduced from Hyderabad to multiple locations in both states to manage the surge. The number of travelers is projected to significantly increase in the following two days.

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has announced the operation of 6,431 special buses for travelers heading home. These buses will run on January 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, and 19 to various destinations within Telangana and neighboring states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

TGSRTC has arranged special facilities at MGBS and JBS stations to accommodate the festive crowd. Amenities such as tents, seating, and mobile restrooms have been set up at other boarding points including LB Nagar, Uppal, Aram Ghar, KPHB, Bowenpally, and Gachibowli.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is also managing 8,432 special buses. Out of these, 6,000 buses, which is 71 percent, will operate within Andhra Pradesh, while 2,432 services will connect inter-state routes to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Each year, an estimated 20 lakh people from Hyderabad and its vicinity return to their hometowns for Sankranti. Most of them head towards the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. No other festival sees such a mass exodus, leaving typically congested roads and intersections in Hyderabad unusually vacant.

Sankranti provides an opportunity for individuals to reconnect with their roots. Many tech professionals, students, government and private employees, along with businessmen from coastal Andhra, ensure they visit their hometowns. Their children relish the break by experiencing the countryside, celebrating by visiting fields, flying kites, observing decorated bulls, engaging in cock-fights, bullock-cart races, and other rural sports held for the occasion.