Consulate road closure adds traffic load in Financial District
HYDERABAD: The closure of the road in front of the US Consulate General in Hyderabad has started disrupting traffic across the Financial District. Diversions are pushing additional vehicles onto the busy Gowlidoddi–Wipro Circle corridor.
Security Curbs After West Asia Tensions
The Cyberabad police imposed the restrictions on security grounds. The move followed rising tensions in West Asia after the United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on February 28.
By Tuesday morning, congestion had begun to build on key stretches in the area.
Wipro Circle Bears the Brunt
The Wipro Circle stretch, especially the Gowlidoddi–Wipro junction road, is facing heavy pressure. The corridor usually handles 50,000 to 60,000 incoming vehicles during peak hours between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Wipro junction alone records nearly 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles every morning.
Traffic officials estimate that 1,000 to 2,000 visitors arrive at the Consulate daily for visa interviews between 7.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Until Monday, vehicles dropped candidates at the main gate before heading to designated parking areas.
Now, visitors must get down nearly 200 metres away on the main road. Drivers then move toward alternative parking points. Officials say this change has pushed nearly 2,000 extra vehicles onto the Wipro Circle Road.
Impact on Office-Goers and Residents
The closure has disrupted daily commutes for employees of ICICI and Franklin Templeton. Residents of Gowlidoddi and Gopanpally also feel the impact. Many earlier used the Consulate road to bypass Wipro Circle.
Mohd Minhal, who travels daily from a township in Gopanpally to his office on ISB Road, said the closure forced him to change his route.
“I had to go via Wipro Circle today and got stuck in peak-hour traffic. It added nearly 20 to 22 minutes to my commute,” he said.
Police Say Situation Under Control
Gachibowli traffic inspector Gona Suresh said traffic remains manageable.
“We have several alternative routes. The impact on the general public has been minimal,” he said.
