Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Chaos prevails at Statue junction

Staff Reporter

Pelican controller becomes non-functional

TRAFFIC HAZARD: The traffic signal at the pelican crossing at Statue junction that has become non-functional. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Chaos prevailed at the busy Statue junction as the pedestrian-actuated traffic controller, set up on M.G. Road near the Secretariat to ensure smooth flow of traffic and safety of pedestrians using the zebra-crossing, has become non-functional.

The pelican controller or `Peltrac,' developed by the Traffic Signals Division of Keltron and installed nine years ago, has become non-functional since April 22 following a snag. In the absence of traffic signal at Statue junction, the vehicles proceeding from Spencer junction and Cantonment to General Hospital side have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes to cross. This results in traffic snarls even to the main gate of the Secretariat and hampers the movement of vehicles along M.G. Road to East Fort.

Motorists coming from East Fort side do not stop near the pelican crossing to enable vehicles to cross over to General Hospital side. Often, the vehicles that are in the queue to cross over to General Hospital side are at the mercy of the vehicles coming from East Fort and Azad Gate.

Pedestrians, especially bus commuters, find it difficult to cross the road.As many as five bus stops for buses operating services to Shanghumughom, Medical College, Uloor, Kesavadasapuram, Kowdiar and Sasthamangalam side are located near the pelican crossing. All the buses going to East Fort through M.G. Road halt after the crossing.

The haphazard parking of vehicles, especially two-wheelers and autorickshaws, on the Statue-General Hospital road adds to the woes of road users. Four-wheelers parked on the narrow road obstruct the movement of other vehicles.

Many a time, traffic personnel are not present near the pelican crossing to regulate the traffic and help the pedestrians. On Tuesday, there were no traffic constables at 1 p.m. when traffic snarls were witnessed along the stretch. A mini-bus parked on the road leading to General Hospital added to the chaos.

When contacted, Circle Inspector of Police (Traffic, North) G. Venu told The Hindu that the matter had already been taken up with Keltron.

It is for the Keltron officials to rectify the snag. Traffic constables and women constables have been put on duty at the pelican crossing to help the pedestrians.

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