With the Sankranti festival expected to trigger a massive travel rush, the Telangana government has sought temporary toll-free movement on the busy Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway to ease congestion and ensure smoother commuting. Telangana Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister has written to Union Road Transport Minister , urging immediate intervention as traffic pressure continues to mount, particularly at key toll points such as Pantangi.

In his letter, the minister proposed toll-free travel at Pantangi, Korlapahad, and Chillakallu toll plazas during peak festival days. He requested that vehicles be allowed to pass without toll charges on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada route from January 9 to 14, and on the return Vijayawada–Hyderabad stretch from January 16 to 18. The move, he said, is essential to prevent long queues, delays, and public inconvenience as families begin their annual Sankranti journeys in large numbers.

Anticipating heavy congestion from January 8 onwards, Komatireddy chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat with officials from the R&B Department, , and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He directed authorities to set up a special control room, ensure round-the-clock monitoring, and deploy teams from police, medical, revenue, and highway departments for rapid response. Stressing personal accountability, the minister said he would even inspect the highway himself during the festival period if required, underlining the urgency of managing Sankranti traffic effectively.