In Vijayawada, nomination rallies cause traffic jams

Significant traffic jams were observed in many Vijayawada city areas on Friday during the election nomination process. This was due to candidates from various political parties allegedly organizing massive processions and rallies in violation of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) instructions. Congestion clogged major highways and intersections leading to the NTR district collectorate and the election returns office at Berm Park in the West constituency, with convoys of cars belonging to the candidates and their supporters taking up most of the space.

Around ten in the morning, candidates for the MLA seat in the YSRC West constituency, Shaik Asif, MLA Velampalli Srinivasa Rao, Kesineni Srinivas, also known as Nani, the MP candidate for Vijayawada, Pothina Venkata Mahesh, and other prominent members of the community took part in a rally that started at Kaleswara Rao market and ended at the Bhavanipuram election returning officer’s office.

The public was inconvenienced during peak hours by traffic congestion on Prakasam Barrage, One-town, MG Road, and Eluru Road, which lasted for hours and significantly disrupted office workers. The police were condemned by the public for restricting vehicles and rerouting traffic without giving advance information of other routes, even though there was no police action to control traffic.

Bhavanipuram resident Narendra voiced his displeasure with the unexpected traffic interruptions and said that the police should have provided commuters with early notice of alternative routes to minimize disturbances. Rather of placing limitations on travelers, law enforcement officials would have provided early notice of alternative routes. Instead of expecting the people to adapt, he said that because it is election season, police should arrange for the politicians to conduct their processions without creating any disruption.

On MG Road, commuters had to wait amid traffic jams under the sweltering heat for more than an hour as TDP politicians congregated in huge numbers at the NTR district collector’s office.

Another commuter, Swaroopa, bemoaned the oppressive heat in Vijayawada during the summer, particularly when she was caught in traffic congestion brought on by political demonstrations. “Beginning at 10 am, the summertime heat in Vijayawada city is intolerable. For someone who is riding a two-wheeler and caught in traffic, it is considerably more challenging. Because of the political leaders’ rallies, I have been waiting outside in the sun for about thirty minutes,” Swaroopa said.