Days after a man was killed in a hit-and-run while standing on the Durgam Cheruvu cable-stayed bridge in Madhapur, Hyderabad’s flyovers continued to double up as late-night hangout spots, with motorists stopping to take photographs, celebrate occasions and linger dangerously close to speeding traffic.
On Sunday (April 19, 2026) night, vehicles lined up along the bridge as people climbed railings in search of the perfect shot, seemingly unfazed by the fatal accident just hours earlier.
The trend is not isolated. Across the city, flyovers have increasingly become informal social spaces despite clear rules prohibiting vehicles from stopping except in emergencies. The same night, a group of youngsters parked two scooters in the middle of the Nayani Narasimha Reddy Steel Bridge or Indira Park to VST flyover overlooking the Hussain Sagar Lake. One man lay stretched across a scooter seat while others stood chatting, ignoring honking from approaching vehicles. Their scooters were parked directly beneath a “no parking” sign.
Similar scenes are common on the Amberpet flyover, where youngsters pause to eat, film social media videos and pose for photographs against city lights even as traffic rushes past.
The Dr. Manmohan Singh flyover between Aramghar and Nehru Zoological Park | Photo Credit: Serish Nanisetti
A. Bharadwaj, founder president of the Society for Accident-Free Environment (SAFE), said an increasing obsession with social media content, particularly among younger people, is driving risky behaviour on roads.
Data from Cyberabad traffic police reflect a fluctuating but persistent accident pattern on the Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge. Five accidents were reported in 2023, all non-fatal, followed by seven in 2024, including two fatal ones. In 2025, five non-fatal accidents were recorded, and 2026 has already seen a fatal crash, underscoring the risks on the stretch.
Enforcement tapers off overnight
Traffic police officials acknowledge the challenge, pointing to both behavioural patterns and enforcement gaps. Cyberabad Traffic DCP J. Ranjan Rathan Kumar said that while regular traffic duty typically runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., enforcement has historically tapered off overnight, leaving only skeletal deployment.
“Flyovers are increasingly seen as vantage points. People come to enjoy the view, celebrate birthdays or spend time,” he said, adding that a rise in accidents has prompted the department to strengthen night enforcement.
On Monday night, the officer conducted inspections across several flyovers, dispersing groups and counselling violators. In one instance, a young woman was found celebrating her birthday on the Gachibowli flyover. “I wished her, but also ensured she understood the risk and moved them away,” the officer said.
Traffic and bystanders on the Durgam Cheruvu Lake. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
Counselling over penalties, for now
For now, police are opting for counselling over penalties, as many violators are students and working professionals. “If it continues, fines will be increased from र1,000. People know it is illegal; they need to act responsibly,” he added.
Dedicated night officers to be deployed
As part of new measures, dedicated night officers are set to be deployed at vulnerable stretches. However, gaps remain in enforcement infrastructure. A public address system linked to surveillance cameras, once used to warn violators on the cable bridge, is no longer functional and more cameras are needed to ensure full coverage and consistent monitoring.
Continuous patrolling across all flyovers is not always feasible, particularly on high-speed stretches such as the P.V. Narasimha Rao Expressway, but targeted monitoring at busy locations is being considered.