No free ride for Andhra-bound voters from Hyderabad amid election wooing tactics

In a bold bid to charm the sizeable Andhra Pradesh-origin population in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits ahead of crucial civic polls, Telangana's Congress government rolled out what it hoped would be a masterstroke: a toll-free corridor on National Highway-65 (NH-65) during the Sankranti festival. But the plan hit a roadblock, quite literally, as the Centre and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shot it down, leaving lakhs of travelers footing the usual toll bills and the ruling party nursing a political hangover.

With GHMC's current term expiring on February 10, 2026, and elections looming shortly after—potentially in a trifurcated setup dividing the mega-civic body into Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri corporations— Congress, which has historically struggled in urban Hyderabad, saw an opportunity. The party scraped by in the 2023 Assembly polls within GHMC, winning zero seats initially and only opening its account through by-elections in Cantonment and Jubilee Hills. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) dominated with a major chunk, while All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) held its Old City stronghold. In the last GHMC elections in 2020, BRS clinched 56 wards, BJP 48, and AIMIM 44, underscoring Congress' urban drought.

Enter the Sankranti strategy. Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy penned a plea to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on December 31, requesting toll waivers from January 9 to 18, 2026, to ease the festive exodus. Traffic on NH-65, the lifeline from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, surges 200% during the harvest festival, often causing hours-long jams at plazas like Panthangi, Korlapahad, and Chilakallu. The state even offered to reimburse NHAI Rs 4-5 crore for lost revenue, estimating 10 lakh vehicles—carrying about 40 lakh people, including 20-25 lakh potential GHMC voters—would benefit.

These "Seemandhra" settlers, many long-time Hyderabad residents with roots in Andhra Pradesh, form key voting blocs in Kukatpally, Serilingampally, Malkajgiri, lLB Nagar, Khairatabad etc. "We wanted to make their homecoming hassle-free," a state official confided, hinting at electoral dividends.

But the move sparked backlash on social media. Telangana natives questioned why similar perks weren't extended during Dasara, when locals flock to their districts. "Why favour Andhra travelers?" fumed netizens, accusing the government of pandering.

The Centre balked, fearing a nationwide precedent for festival waivers. NHAI stuck to business as usual. Bhaskar Reddy, returning from Nellore on January 17, grumbled, "We paid the full toll; no exemptions." Srinivas Choudary, who left on January 9, echoed: "Fastag deducted as normal." Even a fallback request for jam-time leniency went unheeded, though scattered travel from January 9-13 averted major snarls, unlike past years.

Drone surveillance and extra toll counters helped manage the rush—over 50,000 vehicles crossed Panthangi in 24 hours on January 13-14—but no freebies. As Sankranti wraps up, Congress' goodwill gesture fizzled, leaving it to rethink tactics for the GHMC battlefield.

Vehicles from AP diverted due to NH-65 works

In view of the ongoing road widening and flyover construction activities on National Highway-65 (Hyderabad-Vijayawada stretch), the Nalgonda district police have enforced temporary traffic restrictions to prevent congestion and ensure smoother flow of vehicles, especially following the Sankranti festival when a large number of people are returning from Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad.

Significant vehicle buildup is anticipated at key toll plazas including Chityal, Korlapahad, and Pantangi. To avoid jams and delays, authorities have implemented alternative diversion routes for inbound traffic from Andhra Pradesh.

Key Diversion Routes for commuters heading to Hyderabad. From Guntur: Vehicles are rerouted via Guntur – Macherla – Miryalaguda – Peddavuru – Haliya – Chintapalli – Mall. From Nalgonda: Use the route via Nalgonda – Marriguda Bypass – Munugodu – Choutuppal to reach Hyderabad. Heavy vehicles (lorries) from Vijayawada will be diverted at Kodad to head to Hyderabad.

In case of severe congestion on the main NH-65, additional rerouting will be activated from Chityal via Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir) to Hyderabad.

The police are closely monitoring traffic using drone cameras and CCTV surveillance, with extra personnel deployed along the highway for real-time management and guidance. Commuters are strongly urged to cooperate with traffic personnel, follow diversion signs, and adhere to instructions to minimize inconvenience and ensure road safety.

These measures are temporary and aimed at facilitating safe travel during the post-festive return rush amid the infrastructure development on NH-65. Motorists are advised to check real-time updates from local police or traffic authorities before commencing their journey.