Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has urged residents, particularly young people and parents, to avoid midnight birthday celebrations and cake-cutting at Tank Bund, main roads, ponds and parks after a fatal road accident claimed the lives of a six-year-old child and a family member.
In a video message, Sajjanar said celebrations intended to be happy occasions were resulting in irreversible losses because of impulsive decisions and negligence. He referred to an accident on Tank Bund that occurred at about 2 am, when a family had reportedly visited the location to celebrate the child’s birthday.
The commissioner said police reached the site after receiving information and took the injured to hospital, but attempts to save them were unsuccessful. The incident has led the police to review safety arrangements at Tank Bund with senior officers and examine preventive measures to reduce the risk of similar accidents.
Sajjanar said a comprehensive review had also been carried out in coordination with various government departments. The details of any specific new road engineering measures, enforcement plan or implementation timeline were not provided in the police appeal.
He said birthday celebrations were personal family occasions and should be held at home or in other safe locations. According to the commissioner, roads carry less traffic at midnight, which can encourage vehicles to travel at excessive speeds. He warned that bringing children onto roads at that time increases the risk of serious accidents.
The appeal also restated that birthday celebrations on Tank Bund are prohibited under existing rules. Sajjanar said the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had issued clear instructions in the past regarding the restriction.
The police commissioner said personnel had been repeatedly sending people away from Tank Bund, but some visitors returned later at night to hold celebrations. The recurring pattern highlights the enforcement challenge at a busy public waterfront where restrictions may need to be supported by continued monitoring and coordinated action by multiple civic agencies.
Sajjanar appealed to residents to cooperate with the city police and avoid behaviour that could put lives at risk for a momentary celebration. The police and government departments are expected to proceed with the preventive review of Tank Bund and related safety measures.
