As the city gears up to welcome the New Year, the traffic police of the tri-commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda have announced comprehensive advisories and restrictions to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow.

These measures, effective on the night of December 31, aim to regulate vehicular movement and curb violations during celebrations.

Valid flight tickets

All flyovers of the city except PVNR Expressway, Begumpet and Tolichowki will be closed for traffic on need basis on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1. The PVNR Expressway flyover will be operational only for the commuters bound for the RGI Airport who have valid flight tickets.

Personnel from the Hyderabad traffic police will be deployed at 172 key junctions and intersections which are identified for enhanced monitoring. Popular areas such as Tank Bund, Necklace Road, NTR Marg, and Jubilee Hills will see concentrated efforts to manage crowds and traffic. Restrictions will be imposed on Tank Bund, NTR Marg, and PVNR Marg from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m., with diversions in place at several locations. Commuters were advised to avoid these areas and use designated parking zones near Tank Bund.

Additionally, all flyovers except Begumpet and Tolichowki will remain closed during the peak hours of celebrations.

In Cyberabad, the Nehru Outer Ring Road and PVNR Expressway will be closed to light motor vehicles from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except for airport-bound passengers with valid tickets. Strict checks for drunk driving and other violations will commence from 8 p.m. across all major roads. Drivers of public transport vehicles, such as cabs and auto-rickshaws, were reminded to wear uniforms, carry documents, and not refuse service, with penalties for violations.

Establishments serving alcohol are required to ensure their patrons do not drive under the influence, and management can face legal action for negligence.

The Rachakonda traffic police have also issued restrictions, particularly on key flyovers and underpasses, including Nagole Flyover, LB Nagar X Road flyovers, and Chintalkunta underpass. These will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.. Extensive checks will be conducted to deter drunk driving, speeding, and dangerous driving behaviours. High-decibel sound systems, modified silencers, and vehicles without proper registration will face strict penalties, including detention and referral to the RTO.

Overcrowding of vehicles and public nuisances will also invite legal action.

Across all commissionerates, traffic police have emphasised that offenders caught driving under the influence of alcohol will face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act.

“First-time offenders will be fined ₹10,000 and may face imprisonment of up to six months, while repeat offenders could face ₹15,000 in fines and up to two years’ imprisonment. Driving licences will also be seized and may be suspended or permanently revoked, depending on the severity of the offence. In cases where drunk driving results in fatalities, criminal charges under culpable homicide provisions will be applied, carrying potential imprisonment of up to 10 years,” explained the police.