Hyderabad: All flyovers in Hyderabad will remain closed on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday in view of ‘Shab-e-Meraj’. The traffic police announced that Necklace Road around Hussain Sagar lake and all flyovers will be closed after 10 p.m. to regulate traffic and ensure road safety.
Flyovers to remain shut, some exempted
D. Joel Davis, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said Greenland’s Flyover, PVNR Expressway and Langar House flyovers will not be shut. Further, Telangana Talli, Shaikpet, Manmohan Singh and Bahadurpura X Road flyovers will be closed on a need basis.
He requested citizens to take note of the diversions, use alternate routes to reach their destinations and cooperate with the Hyderabad Traffic Police. Commuters have also been advised to follow traffic updates on the Hyderabad Traffic Police’s social media platforms. In case of any emergency, they may contact the traffic helpline at 9010203626 for assistance.
Significance of ‘Shab-e-Meraj’
The intervening night of Friday and Saturday holds special significance for Muslims. Special congregations are held at mosques to mark ‘Shab-e-Meraj’, a significant event in Islamic history. It is observed on the 27th day of Rajjab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
Literally meaning “night of ascent”, ‘Shab-e-Meraj’ commemorates the journey of Prophet Muhammad from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and from there to the heavens.
Tight security amid recent communal tension
Meanwhile, Hyderabad police are making elaborate security arrangements to maintain peace and law and order. Police personnel will be deployed near places of worship in communally sensitive areas in the old city. A strict vigil will be maintained in view of the recent communal tension in the Puranapul area following vandalism at two religious structures on the night of January 14.
According to police, an unidentified individual entered Puranapul Darwaza Mysamma Temple and partially damaged a flexi banner and an idol located in the temple veranda. Following this, a mob of around 300 people allegedly vandalised a nearby ‘Chilla’ and attacked police personnel who were trying to control the situation. Four policemen sustained serious injuries. Police have registered separate cases in connection with both incidents and arrested a suspect involved in damaging the flexi banner and POP idol at the temple premises.