Hyderabad: Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Tuesday ordered immediate steps to ease traffic congestion in Prakasham Bazaar as part of plans to develop Nalgonda into a super smart city.
The Minister began inspections at 4 am in Nalgonda town. He visited Latif Saheb Gutta and Prakasham Bazaar. He said residents had repeatedly flagged rising congestion in the market area.
According to him, small traders selling flowers and fruits had set up stalls on footpaths and along road dividers. As a result, traffic bottlenecks increased and accidents occurred frequently. Therefore, the government initiated the Prakasham Bazaar traffic overhaul with immediate effect.
Officials removed the road dividers using JCB machines. The Minister directed authorities to complete the removal by evening. He also instructed them to shift around 60 to 70 flower, fruit and other petty vendors to the old Collectorate premises in the district headquarters.
He said the site had adequate space and parking facilities. Authorities will identify all eligible vendors and allot plots measuring 50, 70 or 100 square yards based on shop size. In addition, he ordered the relocation of the existing DCM parking facility to the Housing Board land on Devarakonda Road.
Prakasham Bazaar traffic overhaul includes new infrastructure
The Minister directed officials to lay a CC surface and complete marking and lining works at the old Collectorate site. Moreover, he announced plans to introduce underground electricity and lay a new CC road in Prakasham Bazaar. These steps, he said, would prevent accidents and ease congestion.
During the visit, he interacted with local vendors. He assured them that the government would protect their livelihoods and ensure no hardship to the poor. He said all eligible traders would receive shop allotments.
In a gesture of support, the Minister purchased fruits worth Rs 30,000 from a vendor, Ghulam Khader, and distributed them among those present. He noted that nearly 10,000 people visit Prakasham Bazaar daily for trade. Earlier, the area had fewer shops and limited congestion. However, population growth and expanding business activity increased traffic pressure, prompting the Prakasham Bazaar traffic overhaul.
District SP Sharath Chandra Pawar, Additional Collector Ashok Reddy, DSP Shivarami Reddy and other officials accompanied the Minister. Former municipal chairman Burri Srinivas Reddy was also present.