Commuters in Hyderabad's Balkampet area may have to take alternate routes in view of the 'Yellamma Kalyanam', an annual ritual including the local deity, which thousands of devotees are expected to attend. In a press note, the Hyderabad city police said that traffic diversions would be in place in and around Yellamma Devasthanam in Balkampet from July 7 to July 10.
"There is a possibility of (traffic) congestion with devotees and their vehicles lining up on the streets around Yellamma Temple in Balkampet. The restrictions have been imposed to facilitate the free movement of vehicles, to relieve congestion, to maintain the smooth flow of traffic and to ensure public safety and order," the police said.
Traffic travelling from Satyam Theatre to Fathenagar will not be allowed towards Fathenagar via Balkampet and would be diverted at SS Bakery towards SR Nagar Community Hall and go through Abilash Towers, Bhogha Residency and Holy Cross X road, to reach the Fathenagar road.
Traffic coming from Fathenagar towards Satyam Theatre will not be allowed towards Satyam Theatre and will be diverted at Holy Cross X road, towards Bhogha Residency, Abilash Towers, and SR Nagar ‘T’ Junction before they can travel through Satyam Theatre to the Mytrivanam Junction.
"Both side by-lanes and link roads from SR Nagar Police Station ‘T’ Junction to Fathenagar will remain closed. All citizens are requested to take note of the above programme and plan their movements accordingly and co-operate with the Hyderabad Traffic Police," the police said.
It was earlier reported that extensive arrangements have been put in place for the popular annual ritual, which sees people from across the state throng the temple. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) even decided to run 150 special buses to Balkampet between July 7 and July 10.