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Anna Nagar residents seek lasting solution to traffic congestion
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Kakinada TDP leaders inviting people with offering Kakinada Kaja sweet boxes to international airport at Bhogapuram on August 1. | With the call given by TDP National president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kakinada Market Committee Chairman Bachhu Sekhar, TDP leaders Dangeti Satish, Somesetti Kumar and others distributed ‘Kakinada Kaja’ sweet boxes to the residents of Bhogapuram, Pusapatirega, Savaravilli and others while formally inviting them to the inaugural function.Mr. Sekhar told the media that Kakinada MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao distributed many sweet boxes to the residents of Bhogapuram.The residents sacrificed their lands and their services needed to be recognised on the auspicious occasion, he said, adding that they were eager to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the day of inauguration.“They were excited with the distribution of famous Kakinada Kaja sweets during the formal invitation. Their heartfelt positive response for our invitation made us very happy,” he added. Published - July 29, 2026 08:27 pm IST
How is policing in Cyberabad different from conventional urban policing, and what are your top priorities?Cyberabad is a unique commissionerate because it was created through a dedicated legislation, the Cyberabad Metropolitan Police Act, passed in 2003. From the beginning, the leadership understood the kind of future this region was heading towards. Cyberabad tried to position police as an enabler rather than merely an enforcer. That philosophy became part of the culture here. Over the years, as the region transformed from hillocks and sparse settlements into an IT, financial and GCC hub, the police force also evolved alongside it.Cyberabad today is like a mini-India. People from all parts of the country live and work here. Naturally, policing here is very different from conventional urban policing.As far as priorities are concerned, traffic management is currently the top focus because mobility affects everybody. Crime prevention, road safety, and control of narcotics are other important areas. I also believe policing will increasingly involve dealing with mental health-related issues. We are already seeing that trend. What are the biggest challenges and constraints Cyberabad police currently facing?Every day we receive suggestions, complaints and feedback on signals, u-turns, junctions, and road planning. Though people live in large gated communities and modern townships, many RWAs face constant disputes and friction. People use the term “community” loosely, but often there is very little sense of collective coexistence. These social tensions eventually reach the police.Within the police force, we are also dealing with generational shifts. We have senior officers nearing retirement, middle-aged personnel, and a younger Gen Z workforce entering the department. Every generation has a different mindset. Younger personnel are more expressive, more liberal in outlook, and less comfortable with conventional structures. Managing those cultural differences is a challenge every organisation faces. What long-term interventions is the department planning beyond regular enforcement to improve traffic management?The future of traffic management cannot rely only on widening roads or increasing enforcement. We are trying to build a model where citizens themselves become partners in reducing traffic volume. Our focus is on voluntary behavioural change. If people who do not urgently need to travel can stagger their movements or avoid unnecessary trips during peak hours, it can significantly ease congestion.One major area we studied extensively is school transportation, and to address the congestion caused by that, we are working on an broader transport model in partnership with RTC to improve route-specific public transportation. Cyberabad has a large population of women professionals working late-night and rotational shifts in the IT and ITeS sector. How do you deal women safety in the commissionerate?Women’s safety is an important subject, but I also believe conditioning plays a major role in how safe a person feels. Policing can provide physical security, emergency response systems and institutional support, but ultimately confidence and the ability to assert oneself are equally important. I always encourage women to speak up, challenge inappropriate behaviour and refuse to remain silent. If they do that, we will stand firmly with them.At the same time, our She Teams and women safety initiatives continue to function actively across the commissionerate. Counsellors attached to various programmes are dealing with issues ranging from harassment to emotional distress.The broader goal is not just protection, but creating an environment where women feel empowered enough to confront and report misconduct confidently. How is Cyberabad Police upgrading its cyber policing capabilities?There are no shortage of legal provisions to deal with cybercrime or emerging digital threats. The real challenge is the sheer volume of cases. One investigati
Traffic congestion is particularly severe on the road up to Thirumangalam junction. | Traffic congestion is particularly severe around St. Luke’s Church, Blue Star signal, and the entire stretch up to the Thirumangalam junction. Even after 10 p.m. on weekends, traffic remains bumper to bumper, with motorists waiting several minutes to cross the junction.Long-time residents blame the congestion on popular retail brands and commercial complexes that lack adequate parking facilities. They allege that security guards direct customers to park on the roadside, obstructing traffic.“Pedestrian plazas, too, are often occupied by two-wheelers belonging to shop staff and visitors from morning until around 9 p.m. on weekdays. And on weekends, the traffic worsens because several youngsters set up stalls along the road,” S. Amarnath, a resident of Anna Nagar, said.“Every time there is a complaint the government immediately removes all the small stalls (which are set up during weekends) and don’t look at long-term solutions. The actual problems are created by the bigger shops, not the pushcarts,” Hemalatha added.During weekends, many young entrepreneurs run stalls here. There are students, especially IAS aspirants, trying to earn money to pay their fees. Some are single mothers who sell snacks or homemade food so they could educate their children. Residents agree that these weekend earnings are a lifeline to many and they don’t deserve eviction. “The government should create an ecosystem where livelihoods and public convenience can coexist,” they said. A regulated vending policy, designated spaces for weekend vendors, and organised paid parking (similar to Pondy Bazaar) could go a long way in easing congestion, they added.A section of residents of Anna Nagar Fifth Avenue and adjoining streets, including those living around Anna Nagar Tower Park, has raised concern over worsening weekend traffic congestion. They attributed the traffic snarls to the growing number of pushcarts and street vendors occupying the roadsides. They also complained that food trucks and roadside stalls leave behind large quantities of garbage and plastic waste.Despite the police deploying barricades and closely monitoring the area, dangerous stunt riding by youngsters continues to be a growing concern. Groups of young riders are often seen performing wheelies and speeding through crowded roads on weekends. Residents said they also use narrow lanes behind the food streets for such reckless riding. They suggested that the new government study the area’s traffic and come out with a plan, and that vendors be given space for their businesses without disturbing the traffic.A senior traffic police officer, who is in-charge of this zone, said: “We are constantly monitoring this area. Police have also removed vehicles parked in unauthorised zones from time to time. Barricades have also been put up to ensure there is no rash driving during nights.” Published - July 19, 2026 11:57 pm IST
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