2 days ago
Birthday Deaths Expose Tank Bund’s Celebration and Road-Safety Tensions
A family went to Tank Bund in Hyderabad to celebrate a child’s birthday.
While the six-year-old girl and her relative were crossing the road, a speeding lorry hit them, and both died.
Many people visit Tank Bund because it is a free place to meet and enjoy the lake view and lights.
Cake cutting has been prohibited there since 2023, but people still celebrate.
Drivers say people crossing the road, parked vehicles and poor visibility can make the area dangerous.
Police added a button-operated crossing signal, but some drivers say not all vehicles stop.
One residents’ group leader suggested special celebration spots and safer crossings.
Others say affordable places to meet in neighbourhoods could reduce the need to travel to Tank Bund.
A speeding lorry struck a six-year-old girl and her 41-year-old relative, Viswanath, as they crossed Tank Bund late Sunday; both died.
Tank Bund remains a popular free place for families to gather, although cake cutting has been prohibited there since 2023.
Drivers and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union cite unexpected crossings, roadside parking, poor visibility and headlight glare as hazards.
Hyderabad police installed a pedestrian-operated signal in 2023, but drivers say some vehicles still move while pedestrians are crossing.
Suggested responses include designated celebration areas, safer crossings, better lighting and patrols, alongside more affordable community spaces in neighbourhoods.
- Who
- A six-year-old girl and her 41-year-old relative, Viswanath, died; families, drivers and public-space advocates also feature in the discussion.
- What
- A lorry collision killed the two relatives and renewed debate over celebrations, pedestrian safety and public spaces at Tank Bund.
- Where
- Tank Bund, Hyderabad, Telangana.
- When
- Late Sunday night; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- The collision occurred as the pair crossed the road. The incident drew attention to traffic hazards and the continuing use of Tank Bund for celebrations despite the cake-cutting prohibition.
Public-space access and safety concerns
Different explanations and approaches
Why people choose Tank Bund
Public-space access and safety concerns
Donthi Narasimha Reddy said expensive commercial venues and a lack of community halls or space in smaller homes lead families to use the free public area.
Different explanations and approaches
B.T. Srinivasan said nearby gardens and Indira Park exist, and that Tank Bund’s water view and night lighting are major attractions.
How to address celebrations
Public-space access and safety concerns
Reddy argued for restoring affordable common spaces in neighbourhoods so families can meet without travelling to Tank Bund.
Different explanations and approaches
Srinivasan said people will continue celebrating at popular public places and proposed designated celebration and photo areas, safer crossings, parking controls, lighting and weekend patrols.
Late-night activity
Public-space access and safety concerns
Ranjith Kumar Duguntla said keeping some businesses and services open late could benefit people who finish work late, provided there are labour protections, security and medical support.
Different explanations and approaches
The article also describes late-night road-safety and litter concerns, including driver reports of pedestrian crossings, parking and poor visibility, and sanitation workers’ reports of discarded celebration materials.
Key facts
- Deaths
- A six-year-old girl and her 41-year-old relative, Viswanath
- Cause described
- A speeding lorry struck them while they were crossing the road
- Cake-cutting prohibition
- Introduced in 2023; celebrations reportedly continue
- Pedestrian signal
- Installed by Hyderabad police in 2023; gives pedestrians roughly 15–20 seconds to cross after traffic stops
- Union cited
- Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU)
- Suggested patrol hours
- 8 pm to 3 am on weekends, proposed by B.T. Srinivasan
Quotes
Donthi Narasimha Reddy
Hyderabad-based public policy expert
“Not everybody has to keep their shop open, but if some businesses, public spaces, shopping outlets and services remain open, people whose work finishes late can benefit.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Whatever space is there, it is commercialised and very expensive. As a result, people come to this common area because they can’t afford a hotel.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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