Vehicles trapped in traffic between Venkojipalem to Hanumanthawaka Junction stretch, due to the Giri Pradakshina in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK
For the first time, the city witnessed unprecedented traffic congestion during the annual Giri Pradakshina of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, with major arterial roads turning into hours-long gridlocks as lakhs of devotees participated in the pilgrimage on Tuesday night.Many commuters questioned the decision to impose restrictions on Hanumanthawaka–Maddilapalem NH-16 stretch, describing it as one of the city’s most vital arterial roads. They pointed out that with the Beach Road corridor also under restrictions, travelling between the core city and Madhurawada became extremely difficult. Residents also wondered why the district administration had not declared a general holiday, if such large-scale traffic disruption was anticipated.The worst-affected stretch was between Hanumanthawaka Junction and Maddilapalem, where commuters alleged they remained stranded for three to five hours. Many passengers, including elderly persons and patients, were left distressed, while several people spent hours inside their vehicles as traffic barely moved. Commuters termed the situation a complete failure of traffic management.Although the city police had issued an advisory stating that the Hanumanthawaka–Visakha Valley road would be closed to vehicular traffic during the event, a large number of motorists continued to use the route. Initially, police converted one carriageway into a one-way road for vehicles while reserving the other for devotees. However, the steadily increasing influx of pilgrims eventually overwhelmed the stretch, leaving little room for vehicular movement.Several heated arguments were witnessed between commuters, devotees and police personnel as frustration mounted over the prolonged delays. Videos showing the massive traffic snarls quickly went viral on social media.“I was on my way home from Dwarakanagar to Yendada. Knowing that the usual Hanumathawaka road would be choked with devotees and was closed by the administration, I tried to use to Beach Road, but was diverted by the police to the usual Hamumanthawaka road. I was stuck for nine hours in the jam. I even saw ambulances stuck for hours. It was utter chaos. There was no coordination between the police and the other departments concerned, said KV Prasad, a businessman.A devotee, Sudarshan, said a stampede-like situation was witnessed between Venkojipalem and HB Colony near Medicover Hospital as the movement of pilgrims slowed considerably. “People who were caught in the crowd panicked. It could have turned into a nightmare had any unfortunate incident occurred,” he said.Traffic began easing only between 11.30 p.m. and midnight after continuous regulation by the police. Commissioner of Police Shankabrata Bagchi remained on the field to personally supervise traffic movement.Senior traffic police officials maintained that the congestion was aggravated because many motorists ignored the advisory and entered the restricted route. They said traffic congestion during Giri Pradakshina has become inevitable due to the growing number of devotees each year.“Unless and until we get long-term infrastructure such as flyovers, subways and pedestrian bridges, the situation will continue and it may escalate in the coming years,” said a senior police officer. Published - July 29, 2026 09:08 pm IST
