Hyderabad, September 13:The fatal accident of Azharuddin’s son on the Outer Ring Road at Narsingi exposes the police laxity to control the unchecked motorbike racing.
The Outer Ring Road (ORR) has turn out to be a bike-racing course for the youths as they found to be enjoying the race unaware of its detrimental effects inviting death. Every weekend, a good number of the richie-rich kids line up on the vast and inviting stretch of the outer ring road for what is called drag racing.
It has been found that on every weekend Saturday and Sunday, morning and at night, youngsters do race despite the fact two-wheelers are not allowed on that route. At break-neck speeds, ranging from 100-150 km, has become a new passion among the elite.
Earlier the menace was seen commonly at posh areas of Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and many other areas but the frequent crackdown by the city police had shown its effects in Hyderabad. The installation of CCTV cameras in Hyderabad has put a break to the young bike racers. But the bike racers have switched on to an alternate place and enjoying a rash race on ORR in Cyberabad.
The stakes are as high as the speeds. “It could be anywhere between Rs. 10k-20k or more. In fact, at times, the boys bet on their own bikes and four-wheelers,” sources said. Some also drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs and seen violating traffic norms.
In wake of the young richie-rich kids showing interest in the imported bike racing the world famous Harley-Davidson company that deals with imported motorbikes has opened a showroom in Hyderabad.
The Andhra Pradesh Motor Sports Club, which conducts drag races under strict rules and regulations, confirmed that a new group has of late been conducting drag races particularly at nights on the ring road. “Previously, they used to hold the races on weekends but now because of increased police vigil, they are hastily arranging races. It is unsafe to race in the unguarded stretch,” an APMSC spokesman said.
Check Posts at ORR:
In view of the yesterday’s fatal road accident on O.R.R., the Cyberabad Police has decided to open check posts on O.R.R. at Puppalguda Toll Plaza and Shamshabad.
The Commissioner of Police Cyberabad Mr.D. Tirumala rao told that the Check posts will operate from 6.00am to 6.00pm from 13.09.2011 onwards. “We are trying to identify more checkpoints where police can be deployed safely to check the high speed vehicles on O.R.R” the Commissioner said.
–By S.M.Bilal