Overview
- Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has written to Nitin Gadkari seeking toll-free travel on NH-65 from January 9–14 toward Vijayawada and January 16–18 on the return leg.
- No approval has been announced by the Union government, with the state saying it is prepared to engage further to secure clearance.
- Authorities expect about one lakh vehicles a day and report past spikes of roughly 200%, with major delays at Panthangi, Korlapahad and Chilakallu toll plazas.
- The state outlined a festival traffic plan including a control room, 108 ambulances, additional police deployment, temporary curbs on heavy vehicles, and a halt to lane closures and major works, with the minister pledging on-ground inspections.
- Officials say the waiver would also help intra-State travelers using NH-65 within Telangana, while the proposal has drawn criticism over perceived political motives and questions about parity with other festivals.