Khairatabad: busiest junction in the city

The biggest locality and a major commercial hub Khairatabad is located in central zone of the GHMC limits and is the biggest assembly constituency in Telangana State.

With a population of 2,50,000 it is the busiest centre of the city. The area records highest vehicular traffic movement, according to the DCP (traffic) Sudhakar, 400 vehicles passes every minute. The junction connects important areas like Somajiguda, Ameerpet, Lakdi-ka-Pul, and Anandnagar. Raj Bhavan road is an extension of Khairatabad and it houses the residence of the Governor of Telangana.

History:

When Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah’s daughter Khairunissa Begum fell sick, the Sultan got a palace constructed for her in 1570. It was located south-west of Hussain Sagar so that the breeze from the lake would aid in her speedy recovery. The Kings nephew, Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali an eminent engineer supervised the construction and also built a mosque near the palace. After Khairunisa took her last breath, a tomb was laid next to a mosque following which the area was known as Khairatabad, derived from Khairunisa.

Khairtabad Mosque was built by Khairunisa Begum in 1626 AD, also known as Ma Saheba, daughter of VI Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah (1612–1626 AD). She built the mosque for her tutor Akhund Mulla Abul Malik. There is an empty domed building adjacent to the mosque. The reason for its being devoid of any grave is that it was built by Akhund for self burial; as he died during his pilgrimage to Haj in Mecca, the dome remains vacant.

Hub of various organisations

There are many historical and notable institutions, organisations including the Institution of Engineers, Administrative Staff College of India, Road Transport Authority (RTA), APTRANSCO & APGENCO, HMWS&SB, Nasr School, Zilla Parishad, ZEE Telefilms, Press Club, Eeenadu, Mint Compound, Laymen's Evangelical Church, Shadan Group of Educational Institutions et al.

Khairatabad is famous for holding record for the largest and tallest Lord Ganesh Idol in the world which is installed at the Khairtabad State Library during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Locals actively participate in the 11-day festival and torrents of people from diverse places, not merely from city but throughout the country visit and get the blessings of the Lord Ganesh. On the 11th day, the idol is carried in a big procession and is immersed in Hussain Sagar.

Problems:

Khairtabad circle is a corridor for VIP movement. Governor, Chief Minister of the state, ministers and top bureaucrats pass through the junction many a times. G Sudheer Babu, DCP, Hyderabad Traffic Police said, “Khairtabad junction is the place with highest frequency of vehicles in city followed by Sangeet Junction at Secunderabad. Now with Metro Rail project is going on barricades have been laid, and the movement is slow, causing frequent jams. However, it will be normal once the project is fully commissioned.” He added that the road users need to develop traffic awareness and follow rules for the safety of their lives and the other road users.