Festive traffic surge: Panthangi toll records 52,000 vehicles daily

The Panthangi toll plaza on NH-65 is experiencing unprecedented traffic volumes as travellers take to the roads during the festive holiday period. Daily vehicle crossings have reached 52,000, reflecting a sharp spike in inter-city movement between the two major Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cities over a ten-day window.

The surge represents a traffic increase exceeding 40 per cent compared to normal operating levels, straining toll collection infrastructure and causing significant delays for commuters. At peak hours, the plaza is processing approximately 36 vehicles per minute, creating bottlenecks that extend across multiple lanes.

Highway authorities attribute the congestion to increased holiday travel, with families and leisure travellers heading to destinations across both states. The toll plaza, a key collection point on one of South India's busiest corridors, has struggled to manage the volume despite operational measures to expedite vehicle processing.

Motorists have reported wait times extending to several hours during peak periods, prompting calls for improved traffic management protocols at major toll points. Authorities have advised travellers to plan journeys during off-peak hours and remain patient as the festive rush continues across the region's highway networks.