The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Traffic congestion at Sreekariyam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Traffic congestion at Sreekariyam

The Sreekariyam Junction.

Traffic congestion

at Sreekariyam

Sir, — This is to bring to the notice of the authorities, the inconvenience caused by the installation of the new traffic signal system at the Sreekariyam Junction.

There has been immense traffic congestion at the junction at peak hours. Till recently no action has been taken by the authorities to ease the congestion. Now an automatic traffic signal system is introduced at the junction, which has created much a mess. Earlier two policemen were deployed at peak hours to control the traffic, who used to confuse themselves at times due to lack of co-ordination. But now it is felt that the policemen were much better than the new signal system.

The main problem is the improper location of bus stops at the junction. The bus stops towards both sides are so close to the junction and have been creating much chaos. Even if there is a green traffic signal, it has been hard at many times for vehicles to cross the junction due to some KSRTC buses being parked at the bus stops for the passengers to get down. By that time, the signal would have turned red and we will have to wait till the next green signal to cross the junction. As a result a long line of vehicles would be formed waiting for their turn to cross the junction. This has become a routine nowadays. Some days the vehicles will have to wait 15 to 30 minutes to cross the junction.

The signal system could have been introduced after detailed studies of the situation of the area regarding the space requirement for the routing of vehicles and the need for a proper bus bay. Without all these, its introduction has created much inconvenience to the people.

Both the bus stops (towards the city and towards Kollam side) are now almost at the junction itself.

The lack of space needed at the junction for the routing of vehicles or, the necessity of a four-lane road, is yet another problem at the junction. If a vehicle has to go towards Pothencode side or Akkulam side, it has become difficult to move through the traffic and turn left or right without disturbing other vehicles, since there is only one lane. For the implementation of a complete automatic traffic signal system, there has to be enough road lanes (at least four) for its sound functioning. It is high time that the authorities take necessary steps to move the bus stop far from the junction and provide a bus bay, which will not interfere with the traffic.

Salini Pramod,

Sreekariyam.

Capital development

Sir, — The much trumpeted Capital Area Development projects are seen confined to improvement of a few selected roads around the Government Secretariat. It seems that more than the development of those roads and traffic improvement, it purports to facilitate tussle free travel for the powers that be from their official residences and the airport.

More importance should have been given to projects ensuring sustainable development of the city and job generation. The proposed bypass originating beyond Kazhakkoottam, connecting NH 47, MC Road, Chengotta Road, Kattakkada Road, NH 47 beyond Balarampapuram reaching at Vizhinjam, and innovative projects in the areas of higher education and scientific research, tourism, healthcare including Ayurveda, bio-technology, IT and, above all, improvement of public transport in the city and nationalised suburbs would have ensured the growth of the city and job for the educated unemployed. A master plan in these directions is a must.

K. Mohandas,

Kovalam.

Road accidents

Sir, — In the last two weeks, there was a sharp rise in the number of road accidents in the city. Among the accidents occurred many were fatal. Many of the motorists are deliberately disobeying the traffic rules.

The motor vehicle population has grown dramatically in the city in recent years and the existing road networks are quite inadequate to meet the requirements. This might be another major reason for the traffic congestion and accidents. The poor condition of the road is also adding to the woes. If the traffic laws are strictly enforced, a large number of accidents can be averted.

K.P. Ashok Kumar,

Pattom.

Sreekariyam.

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