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The heavy influx of shoppers, pedestrians, and vehicles transporting Ganesh idols caused traffic to slow to a crawl on several major roads across Hyderabad.
Hyderabad, Sept. 13 (Najaf Ali Shoukat-PMI): Hyderabad witnessed a major shopping rush on Sunday as residents turned out in large numbers to purchase Ganesh idols, flowers, fruits and decorative materials ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. Heavy pedestrian movement and vehicles transporting idols led to traffic congestion on several important routes across the city.
Major markets and Rythu Bazars in Erragadda, Mehdipatnam, KPHB and Kothapet witnessed heavy footfall from the early hours. Ganesh idols in different sizes, ranging from about nine inches to 10 feet, were displayed for sale, while hundreds of vendors set up temporary stalls along roadsides, colony lanes, market areas and open spaces.
Several vendors used pushcarts and occupied pavements and bus-stop areas to sell idols and festival-related items. The concentration of temporary stalls and shoppers further increased pedestrian movement, while trucks, lorries and small goods vehicles transported idols to different parts of Hyderabad.
Large crowds were also reported in Begum Bazaar, Abids, Ameerpet, Kukatpally, Miyapur and Secunderabad. Stationery shops and roadside vendors recorded increased demand for decorative materials used for pandals, while flower and fruit markets also witnessed a sharp rise in customer turnout.
Vendors stocked 21 traditional varieties of biodegradable leaves and other materials, commonly known as Pathra, used during festival rituals. Flowers, fruits, decorative articles and idols were among the major items in demand as residents completed their preparations.
Consumers told Telangana Today that prices of flowers and fruits had increased sharply, with some items reportedly costing nearly twice their usual prices amid the surge in demand.
The heavy influx of shoppers, pedestrians and goods vehicles resulted in slow-moving traffic on several major roads, particularly around busy commercial and market areas. Vehicles carrying Ganesh idols added to the congestion as they moved towards different neighbourhoods.
With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, markets, roadside stalls and neighbourhood shopping areas across Hyderabad are expected to remain busy as residents make their final purchases of idols, flowers, fruits, Pathra and other festival requirements. (pressmediaofindia.com)
