Hyderabad New Year Traffic Advisory: Important Updates for Safe Celebrations on December 31st
Getting ready for New Year’s Eve in Hyderabad? Here’s an important update from the Rachakonda police to ensure everyone’s safety on December 31.
If you’re planning to travel to the RGI Airport in your car or other small vehicles, you can use the Outer Ring Road (ORR) only if you show your flight tickets. This rule will be in effect from 11 pm on Sunday until 5 am the next day. But don’t worry, big trucks and heavy vehicles are allowed on the ORR during this time.
Also, note that several flyovers and underpasses like Nagole, Kamineni, LB Nagar, Bairamalguda (Sagar Ring Road), LB Nagar underpass, and Chinthalkunta underpass will be closed from 10 pm on Sunday until 5 am the next day.
Hyderabad: Man’s Good Samaritan Act Turns into Nightmare as Woman Extorts Rs. 25,000 with Threat of Undressing
Hyderabad, December 26, 2023: In a shocking incident that has sent shivers down the spines of Hyderabad residents, a man who offered a lift to a woman on Sunday evening was subjected to a harrowing ordeal of blackmail and extortion. The woman, disguised under a mask and glasses, threatened to undress herself in his vehicle, forcing him to hand over Rs. 25,000.
45-year-old Gutti Jangaiah, a private employee, was returning home on his motorcycle around 5:30 PM when he encountered the woman near SNT Junction. She approached him, requesting a lift. Despite his initial hesitation, Jangaiah, in a spirit of helpfulness, agreed to drop her off.
However, near Mugdha Signal, the woman’s demeanor took a sinister turn. She insisted that Jangaiah accompany her to a room, a request he politely declined. This sparked a confrontation, with the woman shockingly taking control of the motorcycle and demanding money.
Despite initially resisting, Jangaiah, fearing for his safety, was forced to give her Rs. 50. The situation escalated further when the woman snatched his phone and demanded more. Under immense pressure, Jangaiah withdrew Rs. 25,000 from an ATM near SNT Junction and surrendered it to her.
But the woman’s greed remained insatiable. She took the motorcycle key and threatened to undress herself if he didn’t comply with her further demands. Fearful of public humiliation, Jangaiah continued to hand over cash until he had no more money left.
Finally, with Jangaiah completely drained, the woman returned the bike key and requested to be dropped off at the SNT Bus Stop. This marked the end of Jangaiah’s harrowing ordeal.
Shaken and traumatized, Jangaiah lodged a complaint with the police on Monday. The authorities are investigating the incident and are currently searching for the woman.
This incident raises serious concerns about the safety of individuals, particularly those who offer help to strangers. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and awareness of potential threats, especially during late hours.
The Hyderabad Police Department has urged citizens to exercise caution while offering rides to strangers and to report any suspicious activity immediately. They have also assured swift action against those who exploit the kindness of others for their own nefarious purposes.
Banjara Hills Resident Raises the Volume on Pub Noise, Files Complaint against TAP Pub and After 9 Pubs
Hyderabad, December 26, 2023: Residents of Banjara Hills, a bustling Hyderabad locality known for its nightlife, are turning up the heat on noise pollution concerns, with one resident filing a police complaint against two popular pubs – TAP Pub and After 9 Pubs. The complaint alleges persistent loud music and late-night revelry exceeding permissible decibel levels, causing significant disturbance to nearby residents.
The complainant, who resides in BN Reddy Colony, claims that the pubs, despite repeated requests and warnings, continue to operate beyond the stipulated decibel limits, disrupting sleep and peace of mind for residents. The complaint details how the loud music and boisterous crowds spill out onto the streets, creating a nuisance well past midnight.
“It’s become impossible to sleep with the constant din,” expressed the complainant, highlighting the impact on their health and well-being. “The loud music vibrates through the walls, and the noise level is simply unbearable, especially on weekends.”
This complaint adds fuel to the ongoing debate about noise pollution in Hyderabad, particularly in areas like Banjara Hills, where pubs and restaurants are concentrated. While the nightlife scene attracts many, it also raises concerns about noise control and the rights of residents to a peaceful environment.
Following the complaint, the police have reportedly registered cases against both pubs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They have also initiated investigations to assess the noise levels and determine if the pubs are adhering to decibel limits.
The incident has sparked discussions on striking a balance between the city’s thriving nightlife and the need for residents’ well-being. Some residents have expressed support for stricter enforcement of noise regulations, while others suggest exploring alternative solutions like designated noise zones or stricter licensing conditions for pubs and restaurants.
The Hyderabad police have assured residents of taking necessary action to address the noise pollution issue. However, it remains to be seen if this complaint will lead to significant changes in how pubs and restaurants operate in Banjara Hills and other areas of the city. The question of how to ensure a vibrant nightlife while protecting the rights of residents to a peaceful environment is one that Hyderabad will continue to grapple with in the coming days and months.
Amit Shah’s Key Role in BJP’s Telangana Election Prep: State Leaders’ Meet on Dec 28
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to join a meeting with BJP leaders in Telangana on December 28. The meeting, held in Rangareddy district, is a crucial part of the party’s preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
State BJP president G Kishan Reddy announced the news on Monday, revealing that Amit Shah would engage with party leaders at the district level. During the meeting in Kongarakalan of Rangareddy district, Shah will provide guidance on organizing outreach programs to effectively communicate Central government schemes to the people of the State.
G Kishan Reddy emphasized the party’s commitment to implementing various organizational measures to enhance its performance in the State. Additionally, sources within the party mentioned that Amit Shah would meet with party MLAs to discuss the selection of the BJP Legislative Party leader. Notably, the BJP is the only party in the State Assembly yet to finalize its Legislative Party leader, with eight MLAs representing the party in the Assembly.
A family in Telangana faced terrible sadness when two accidents, one after another, took the lives of five people.
Early Monday morning, fog made it hard to see clearly on the roads in Nalgonda. This caused two accidents that took the lives of five people.
A motorcyclist named Ramavath Keshavulu hit a pedestrian named Nagaraju near Vempadu village. Sadly, both of them died.
Ramavath Keshavulu’s family rushed to the hospital in Miryalaguda in a TATA Ace vehicle. On their way, a truck crashed into their vehicle.
Four people in the TATA Ace died: Ramavath Pandu, Ramavath Bujji, Ramavath Ghanya, and Ramavath Keshavulu (the motorcyclist).
The other person who died in the first accident was Nagaraju, a pedestrian from Peddavoora Mandal.
This was a terrible tragedy for the families involved.
Tragic Loss in Hyderabad: ACP Nagender Rao Succumbs to Cardiac Arrest After 25 Years of Dedicated Police Service
In Hyderabad, ACP Nagender Rao, a police officer with the rank of Assistant Commissioner, has sadly passed away. The cause of his death was a cardiac arrest, it occurred at a hospital on Monday.
Nagender, who joined the police force in 1998, lived in LB Nagar. On Monday, he experienced chest pain and was quickly taken to a private hospital at Kamenini. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recover and passed away in the evening.
Throughout his 25-year career, Nagender Rao served in various police stations across the city.
Hyderabad researchers developed a wastewater surveillance system to detect infections two weeks in advance
Researchers from Hyderabad, India, have developed a wastewater surveillance system that can detect the possible onset of a pandemic or a fresh surge of bacterial or viral infections two weeks in advance. The system, which was developed by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), has been successfully implemented in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and was first tested in Hyderabad during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The wastewater surveillance system works by monitoring wastewater for the presence and concentration of disease-causing pathogens. Wastewater samples are collected from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and open drains. The system can detect a variety of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), the polio virus, adenoviruses, hepatitis A and E viruses, rotaviruses, bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella, and parasites such as Ascaris and Giardia.
In a paper published in a scientific journal, Dr. Archana Bhardwaj Siva, a senior scientist at CCMB, said that the researchers are exploring the possibility of incorporating wastewater surveillance as one of the tools for disease monitoring in the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2025, which is expected to host over 400 million pilgrims from around the world.
Wastewater surveillance has a number of potential applications beyond pandemic preparedness. For example, it can be used to track illicit drug use, estimate socio-demographic characteristics and consumption patterns in an area, and monitor the effectiveness of public health interventions.
The development of the wastewater surveillance system is a significant advance in public health. The system has the potential to help prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases and improve the overall health of communities.
Here are some additional details about the wastewater surveillance system:
The system is based on a technology called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a technique that can be used to amplify small amounts of DNA or RNA.
The system can detect the presence of a pathogen in wastewater even if there are only a few infected people in the community.
The system is relatively inexpensive to set up and operate.
The system can be used to provide real-time data on the prevalence of infectious diseases in a community.
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad: In the wake of circulating videos from Sunday’s pub raids in Jubilee Hills, aimed at curbing drug use, the Hyderabad police have distanced themselves from their dissemination. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Joel Davis clarified that the videos were not shared by the police but likely recorded and shared by bystanders and pub patrons themselves.
He stated, “The videos circulating online were not uploaded by the police. We believe private individuals filmed the raids and possibly shared them on social media platforms. We even observed patrons recording the police operation.”
An official from the Jubilee Hills police station further clarified that while constables did record footage for internal documentation, these recordings were not shared with anyone outside the department. He added, “The pubs are public establishments, and anyone can visit them. We have no authority to prevent people from filming inside, even during police operations.”
This explanation comes amidst concerns about privacy and potential leaks from within the police department. However, the police maintain that the circulating videos originated from external sources and were not officially released.
Alleged Gang Rape Tragedy: A Chilling Echo of 2012 Delhi Incident Unfolds on a Bus Journey from Kanpur to Jaipur
A girl traveling from Kanpur to Jaipur to her uncle’s home was allegedly gang-raped by two drivers on the intervening nights of December 9 and 10, according to the police. The girl boarded a bus and since she didn’t get any seats, she was made to sit in the cabin. During the journey, when other passengers in the cabin left, the drivers raped her, taking turns.
The passengers sitting outside grew suspicious and opened the cabin door. Seeing the state of the girl, the passengers beat up the drivers. One of the drivers managed to escape. They caught hold of the other one. They drove the bus to a petrol pump. The girl was taken to the police station and her uncle was called there to file the complaint.
One of the drivers, identified as Mohammed Arif, has been arrested by the police while the search is on to arrest the other driver, identified as Lalit, who is absconding. This incident bears a close resemblance to the 2012 Delhi gang rape incident that took place in the same month and sent shockwaves across the country. A young woman was brutally assaulted and raped on a moving bus in Delhi, which led to her death a few months later.
Tragedy on Banjara Hills Road: Woman Loses Life in TSRTC Bus Accident
Hyderabad, Sunday, December 17, 2023: Tragedy struck in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, on Sunday morning as a 35-year-old woman lost her life in a collision with a TSRTC bus.
The unfortunate incident occurred near L V Prasad Hospital, where the woman was attempting to cross the road. The TSRTC bus, traveling at a high speed, struck the pedestrian, resulting in her immediate demise.
Local authorities were alerted, and the police promptly arrived at the scene. The victim’s body was subsequently transported to Osmania General Hospital for postmortem examination. A case is in the process of being registered by the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
KT Rama Rao(KTR) Vows Full Support to Telangana Government’s Battle Against Drug Menace
Hyderabad: KT Rama Rao(KTR), the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has promised strong support to the State government’s efforts to tackle the problem of drugs in the State.
During a session in the Assembly on Saturday, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy requested assistance from all political parties in combating drug use and circulation in Telangana. In response, Rama Rao assured the State government of full support in dealing with the drug menace.
The assurance, however, came after a heated exchange of words. While the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s determination to control the drug problem, Rama Rao pointed out that the BRS government had previously set up the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau, with CV Anand serving as its head.
Acknowledging that there may be differences of opinion between the ruling and opposition parties on various issues, the Chief Minister urged all political parties to support the government’s anti-drug efforts as a social responsibility.
In response, Rama Rao committed to providing 100% support. When the Chief Minister highlighted the drug abuse issues in Punjab, Rama Rao reminded him that the Congress was in power in Punjab before the AAP government, and even mentioned the Bollywood movie “Udta Punjab,” which depicted the drug menace in the state.
Kerala Witnesses Alarming Surge: 90% of India’s Fresh Covid-19 Cases; Omicron Variant Detected | Latest Updates and Implications
New Delhi: There has been a sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala, with two deaths from the virus reported this month. According to official figures, the state reported 470 cases in November, and 825 new ones within the first ten days of this month, the highest in India.
Rising Cases in Kerala
The state of Kerala has witnessed a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, with 90% of the fresh cases in India being reported from the region. The numbers have escalated from 470 cases in November to a concerning 825 new cases in the first ten days of December, making it the highest in the country.
Underlying Causes
Patients admitted to hospitals with respiratory symptoms are testing negative for H1N1 but positive for Covid-19, according to Dr. Sunny P. Orathel, the state hospital medical superintendent. He notes that, in some cases, symptoms persist for a month or two, and the current aggravation might be linked to atmospheric pollution and climate change.
Severity and Vulnerability
While the majority of cases are not severe, individuals with existing comorbidities and low immunity remain vulnerable. Health experts emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of the virus despite the relatively low severity of cases.
Omicron Variant Concerns
Recent reports suggest the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron variant in Kerala, sparking fresh concerns. Authorities stress the importance of vigilance and continuous monitoring as the situation unfolds. If the cases continue to rise, the Kerala government may consider imposing restrictions and preventive measures in sensitive areas.
Regional and Global Impact
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has confirmed the presence of the JN.1 variant in Kerala. This variant has also been detected in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Indonesia, where authorities are responding by making masks mandatory at airports.
Covid-19 Cases in India
According to the latest data from the Union Health Ministry, India recorded 237 new coronavirus infections on Friday, with active cases increasing to 1,296. The total death toll stands at 5,33,310, and the national recovery rate is reported at 98.81%. While the overall recovery is promising, the recent single-day rise of 252 new infections marks the highest since June 2 this year.
Symptoms of COVID-19 to Watch Out For
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights common symptoms of COVID-19, including fever or chills, cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and muscle or body aches. Individuals may also experience less common but serious symptoms like pink eyes, swollen eyes, fainting, and more. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if any symptoms arise.
As the situation unfolds, health authorities are urging the public to adhere to safety measures and stay informed about the evolving nature of the pandemic.
