In the bustling IT hub of Hyderabad, pedestrians continue to bear the brunt of road safety issues, with recent statistics revealing they accounted for 35% of road fatalities in the Cyberabad commissionerate in 2025. According to official data, 116 of the 331 total fatalities recorded up to April 2025 involved pedestrians, highlighting a concerning trend in a region that’s home to significant residential and commercial growth. This marks an increase from the previous year, where 31.3% of the 994 road deaths were pedestrians.
Notably, Shadnagar registered the highest number of fatal pedestrian accidents this year, with 19 deaths in as many incidents. Other hard-hit areas include Medchal and Rajendranagar, each reporting 17 pedestrian deaths in 16 cases. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport jurisdiction recorded 12 pedestrian fatalities, while Jeedimetla reported 10 deaths.
The alarming rise in pedestrian casualties underscores significant gaps in infrastructure and safety awareness across the area. In total, 70 critical black spots have been identified in the commissionerate, with nearly half of all fatalities occurring in 32 of these locations. Areas particularly prone to pedestrian accidents include the Gandimaisamma X roads in Dundigal, various stretches along NH-44, and several junctions connected to major educational and residential zones.
Cyberabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Gajarao Bhupal highlighted several contributing factors to the hazardous conditions for pedestrians: the absence of reliable footpaths, poorly designed intersections, non-functional pedestrian signals, and high-speed corridors encircling residential neighborhoods. “Locations like Shadnagar and Jeedimetla are now flanked by major highways, leading to significant pedestrian movement that often goes unnoticed,” Bhupal said. He added that enforcement in these areas tends to be limited, prompting the need for a more structured approach to pedestrian traffic management.
Bhupal disclosed that several foot-over bridges currently experience low usage and are being evaluated for relocation to more beneficial locations. New infrastructure projects are also in the pipeline, including a new footbridge between Raidurgam metro station and IKEA. In a bid for long-term improvement, the department is pushing to incorporate dedicated pedestrian pathways in all new road designs while working to segregate existing pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Advocate and sustainable mobility proponent Santhana Selvan, known as the Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad, emphasized that pedestrian safety should be a fundamental aspect of urban planning, not an afterthought. He criticized the current state of pedestrian infrastructure as disjointed and hazardous, particularly during rainy weather. “Areas like the Durgam Cheruvu stretch towards Inorbit Mall exemplify these flaws, lacking adequate walkable space and safety measures for pedestrians,” Selvan remarked. He called for the implementation of pedestrian signals, crossings, and safe pathways, especially around schools and workplaces, to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly.
As the narrative surrounding pedestrian safety in Hyderabad evolves, it is clear that comprehensive measures are needed to safeguard those who traverse the city’s increasingly busy streets. The current statistics paint a troubling picture, but with concerted efforts from authorities and community advocates, there remains hope for a safer urban environment in the future.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/pedestrian-deaths-now-account-for-over-a-third-of-road-fatalities-in-cyberabad/article69656829.ece
Category : Hyderabad
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Publish Date: 2025-06-05 08:06:00
