Traffic advisory and parking arrangements as Bonalu processions begin
The Hyderabad City Traffic Police on Saturday announced extensive traffic diversions, road closures and parking arrangements across the Old City and surrounding localities ahead of the Bonalu processions scheduled for August 9 and 10. The measures cover areas including Karwan, Amberpet, Chilkalguda and core Old City neighbourhoods such as Charminar, Lal Darwaza, Aliabad and Mirchowk.
Officials said restrictions will be in force from 6 am on August 9 in the Old City until the processions conclude, and from 9 am on August 10 until celebrations end. The road linking Madina X Roads to Engine Bowli via Gulzar House, Charminar, Himmatpura, Nagulchinta and Aliabad will be completely closed to vehicular traffic during the processions.
“The road connecting Madina X Roads to Engine Bowli via Gulzar House, Charminar, Himmatpura, Nagulchinta and Aliabad will remain completely closed to vehicular traffic during the processions,” said officials.
Authorities warned motorists, commuters and commercial vehicle operators to plan alternative routes and to expect significant delays in approaches to the old city precincts. Heavy vehicles approaching Chatrinaka from Old Chandrayangutta will be diverted towards Santoshnagar and Chandrayangutta, the traffic police said.
- Key closures: Charminar, Lal Darwaza, Aliabad, Nagulchinta, Gowlipura, Moghalpura, Mirchowk, Nayapool approaches.
- RTC buses: Services will not be permitted to proceed towards Charminar, Falaknuma and Nayapul; terminals and turning points will be used instead.
- Parking: Multiple designated grounds and terminals have been allocated to facilitate devotees and visitors.
Designated parking and bus termination points
To reduce congestion around procession routes, the police have designated several parking locations and instructed that procession vehicles will be parked in a single line at Delhi Gate. RTC services will be curtailed for certain routes and buses will terminate at specified points before taking alternate alignments.
| Type | Locations / Details |
|---|---|
| Major closed route | Madina X Roads — Engine Bowli via Gulzar House, Charminar, Himmatpura, Nagulchinta, Aliabad |
| Parking grounds | Devi Plywood area (Shahlibanda), Alka Theatre open ground, Arya Vaishya Mandir, VDP School Ground, Mithra Sports Club, Sree Venkateswara Temple premises, Phoolbagh Chaman Ground, Charminar Bus Terminal |
| RTC bus terminations | Old CBS, Afzalgunj, Darulshifa X Roads, Chatrinaka, Engine Bowli |
| Procession vehicle parking | Single-line parking at Delhi Gate |
The traffic police said buses bound for Charminar, Falaknuma and Nayapul will be stopped short and rerouted from the above-mentioned terminals. Commuters using public transport are advised to check with RTC for temporary route changes and boarding points.
Karwan Bonalu: extended restrictions
Separate arrangements have been announced for the Sri Sri Sri Darbar Maisamma Bonalu celebrations in Karwan, which includes an elephant procession from Sabji Mandi to Nalla Pochamma Temple. Traffic restrictions for this event will be in place from 9 pm on August 8 through the morning of August 10, with diversions around Puranapool and Jiyag (approach names as specified by police).
Officials urged residents, motorists and commercial operators in affected pockets to avoid parking on arterial approaches during the festival hours, comply with police directions and use designated parking grounds. The advisory is aimed at ensuring smooth passage for devotees and minimising traffic congestion in densely populated Old City lanes.
Motorists and commuters are advised to follow traffic police signage and announcements on the ground. Those planning to attend Bonalu processions were asked to allot extra time for travel and prefer public transport where possible.
Impact: The restrictions are expected to affect daily commuting patterns, commercial deliveries and inter-city bus approaches to the Old City. Residents of nearby areas such as Chilkalguda, Amberpet and Karwan should plan alternate routes or use the designated parking facilities to avoid penalties and delays.
