The Hindu : Kerala News : Impose heavy fines on vehicles parked on busy roads traffic in focus

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Kerala

Impose heavy fines on vehicles parked on busy roads traffic in focus

Photo: H. Vibhu

AT A SNAIL’S PACE: A view of the traffic jam at Ernakulam North Overbridge in Kochi. —

Depute sufficient traffic policemen at Thripunithura Railway Overbridge and also at Irumpu Paalam. Heavy vehicles should not be permitted to travel on these bridges, and a signboard should be placed at these two junct

ions, requesting heavy vehicles to pass through Petta and Refinery bridges. It is a fact that heavy vehicles should not enter town during day time, but it is true that many vehicles are using this way of Irumpu Paalam and Overbridge to avoid the toll fee at Refinery road.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Poonithura It is true that the Irumbanam plam and Overbridge are not suitable for the travel of heavy vehicles and so we have banned them during day time. If there are any such violations we will be taking strong action against the erring drivers.

Create bus bays at all private bus stops. Bus stops should be allowed only at places where there is no congestion and away from intersections and junctions. Remove all unwanted posts and hoardings, which obstruct the

view of the drivers. Make all roads pedestrian-friendly. The walkways must be cleared of all obstruction so that pedestrians can conveniently use the walkways and not be pushed on to the roads. Construct overhead walkways at all busy intersections and junctions so that pedestrians can conveniently cross road without any danger. Roads are for traffic, and not meant for parking. Impose heavy fees on any vehicle found parked on busy roads.

George Merlo Pallath

Ravipuram We have set up a committee to study the bus stops existing now and will soon be cutting down on bus stops within one km and those near the junctions and in congested areas. Making roads pedestrian-friendly involves efforts from other departments as well.

And we on our side are removing all unwanted parking in busy areas and also on the footpaths so as to clear them for the pedestrians.

Thank you for supporting us in our drive to clear the city of unauthorised parking.

There are only two ways to curb the chaos caused by the private buses. The first is by forming a trust with the joint participation of both the government and PBOA, which will keep a track of buses plying through the

city. Through the trust the profit earned by the buses will be divided among each bus equally which will reduce the problem of some buses earning huge profit while some others are in loss even though they ply in the same route. This will in turn put an end to the competition among buses. The second method is by introducing metro-trains and more KSRTC city services as this will make at least the passengers safe.

Jojo Jose

Thrikkakara

Both the suggestions are very useful ones that can end this menace of accidents caused by these private buses, but such steps require a policy decision.

The bus stop opposite Vyapar Mandir for buses coming from Aluva and proceeding to Kaloor side should be shifted to a point beyond the junction. The present location of this stop is a serious obstruction to other traf

fic from Aluva side going towards bypass junction. Similarly the stop for buses coming from bypass road proceeding to Kaloor side should be shifted to a location after the junction. This will help free movement of other traffic coming from bypass roadside and going to Thammanam side. The one-way road between Palarivattom junction and St.Martin Church should be cleared of the small obstructions still existing including the misuse of the pavements by vendors and made two-way. This will eliminate the U-turn at the Sri Narayana junction.

George C. Oommen

Padivattom The suggestion on shifting of bus stops is a feasible and correct one and we will examine the area and take action to shift the bus stop, if adequate space is available.

Also the suggestion on removing the one way can also be studied for that is bound to ease the traffic at Palarivattom junction.

Entry into the city has to be from Vyttila and exit has to be through Palarivattam. Vehicles coming from Kalamassery should be directed to Vyttila along the byepass. These vehicles can use the North overbridge to ret

urn to Edappally and Kalamassery. Similarly, vehicles which have to return to Thripunithura and Aroor have to use the North overbridge to reach Palarivattam and take either byepass or Thammanam route to their destinations. Of course, more improvements in traffic within the city will become inevitable if the above major change is accepted.

Desi Matthai

Maradu

Your suggestion for such a circular route is a drastic one, which will invite criticism from all quarters citing increased distances, rising fuel prices and difficulties for locals living inside the city and so it is not possible to implement such a drastic step for the present times.

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