Kerala - Kochi   

Readers' Mail

Broadway no longer `broad way'

Sir, - The fire at Broadway, in the heart of Ernakulam city, was only an expected one considering the bad conditions of the buildings that dot the congested market.

One may recall a similar mishap four years ago in the same area. The public had then demanded safety measures to be taken to avoid such fire-related accidents in future.

However, the latest incident has proved that no action had been taken by the authorities to prevent such accidents, which would have very serious consequences. No doubt the Corporation authorities were caught sleeping.

To make matters worse is the traffic congestion. Parking along the Broadway should be banned to facilitate smooth flow of pedestrians and vehicles. Parking place could be provided at the Marine Drive.

In case of an emergency, there is no space even for a fire engine to go through the Broadway. The Broadway is no longer a `broad way'.

Short-circuit is another cause of accidents. The Kerala State Electricity Board should immediately repair all power lines in the Broadway and ensure that the shopkeepers had a good electric system in their buildings. The Police should maintain a constant vigil.

The Greater Cochin Development Authority and the Corporation should make concerted efforts to make Broadway a better place.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode,

Poonithura.

Help police to serve us

Sir, - The recent spate of killing of innocent elderly people in and around Kochi has sent waves of trepidation across society. What adds to the consternation of the people is the failure of the men in uniform to nab the culprits.

The sense of safety and security that a law and order system provides is no longer there. It is not that our police force is devoid of efficient people. There are outstanding men of calibre, efficiency, and probity in our police force.

The rulers have only to handpick them from the obscure positions they have been relegated to and assign the investigation of sensational cases, including the ones treated as closed for want of clear evidence, to them. Given a free hand, they are sure to crack such cases.

The public too should lend a helping hand to the authorities by passing on vital information on crimes and criminal activities they happen to know about. The crime stopper service of the Police Department should be made meaningful.

The public ought to have trust in the police first. And the police in turn should earn the trust and respect of the public.

N.K. Vijayan,

Kizhakkambalam

Put bypass to better use

Sir, - There is no respite to the traffic congestion in the city in spite of the good work done by the traffic police.

The commissioning of the Kaloor-Kadavanthra and the Thammanam-Pullepady roads may bring some once heavy vehicles start plying through these roads.

However, only very few buses ply along the bypass from Edappally to Vyttila. The buses from Aluva and Cheranelloor, bound for Thripunithura should start operating through the bypass. It would save a lot of time.

The stage carriers that operate on these routes may oppose this move as it may tell upon their collection.

All the new permits on the Aluva-Thripunithura and Parur-Cheranelloor-Thripunithura sectors must be issued for the Edappally-Vyttila section of the bypass.

Even if there were no reduction in the bus fare, the passengers would be only happy as it would save them time.

The present arrangement of limited stop services from Kottayam to Ernakulam deviating at Vyttila, and proceeding to Kaloor via Vyttila-Palarivattom sector of the bypass is indeed a good one.

While implementing new traffic regulations, care should be taken not to disturb the existing ones.

C.P. Velayaudhan Nair,

North Edappally.

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