Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has urged residents, particularly young people and parents, to avoid midnight birthday celebrations and cake-cutting gatherings at Tank Bund, main roads, ponds and parks after a fatal road accident involving a child and a family member.
In a video message, Sajjanar said celebrations intended to bring happiness were causing irreparable losses to families because of impulsive decisions and negligence. He referred to a recent accident on Tank Bund that occurred at about 2 am, when a family had gone there to celebrate the birthday of a six-year-old child. The child and one family member died in the crash on the day of the birthday, according to the commissioner.
Sajjanar said police reached the location after receiving information about the accident and took the injured to hospital, but efforts to save them were unsuccessful. He said he had inspected the accident site with senior police officers to identify stronger preventive measures and prevent similar incidents.
The commissioner said a comprehensive review had also been conducted in coordination with various government departments. The review is intended to address accident risks at Tank Bund, a prominent public space and road corridor along Hussain Sagar that attracts visitors, including families and young people, especially during late hours.
Sajjanar said birthday celebrations were personal family occasions and should be held at home or in other safe locations. He also warned that lower traffic volumes at midnight can encourage drivers to travel at excessive speeds, increasing risks for families who bring children onto city roads at that time.
According to the commissioner, midnight birthday celebrations at Tank Bund are prohibited under existing rules, and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has issued clear instructions on the matter in the past. Police personnel have repeatedly sent people away from the location, he said, but some groups return later at night to hold celebrations.
The warning highlights the difficulty of managing public spaces that function simultaneously as roads, leisure destinations and informal gathering points. Tank Bund’s accessibility and visibility make it attractive for celebrations, but the combination of late-night gatherings, moving vehicles and children near traffic creates a safety concern identified by the police.
Sajjanar appealed to residents to cooperate with the city police and avoid decisions made for momentary enjoyment that could put lives at risk. The police and other government departments are expected to continue reviewing preventive arrangements at Tank Bund, while the existing prohibition on midnight celebrations remains in force.
