Golconda Bonalu: Hyderabad Police deploy drones, enforce major traffic diversions
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Traffic Police have introduced extensive traffic diversions and drone-based traffic monitoring for the 2026 Bonalu festival at Sri Jagadambika Ammavari Temple in Golconda Fort to ensure smooth vehicular movement and public safety.
The Bonalu celebrations in the Golconda Traffic Zone began on July 16 and will continue until August 13. Anticipating a large influx of devotees, the traffic police have implemented diversion plans across key routes surrounding Golconda Fort.
Drone surveillance introduced for real-time traffic monitoring
The Hyderabad Traffic Police have deployed drones for traffic management around Golconda Fort for the first time during the festival. The drones are being used to monitor parking areas, traffic diversion points and congestion in real time, enabling field personnel to respond quickly and regulate vehicle movement.
Officials said aerial surveillance provides continuous updates on traffic conditions, helping prevent bottlenecks and ensuring smoother movement of vehicles.
Parking and crowd movement under constant watch
According to the police, drones are monitoring designated parking areas near Golconda Fort to assess vehicle density, prevent unauthorised parking and guide motorists to available parking spaces.
Traffic bottlenecks on approach roads, internal routes and locations witnessing heavy pedestrian movement are also being identified promptly. Traffic personnel are taking immediate measures to regulate movement wherever congestion is detected.
The traffic arrangements have been made on the instructions of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar. The operations are being supervised by Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis, with regular reviews by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Kajal and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic, Golconda Zone) D. Dhanalakshmi.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic Golconda Zone, said the use of drone technology is helping provide a comprehensive assessment of on-ground traffic conditions and facilitating safe and uninterrupted movement for devotees and the public during the Bonalu festival.
