The Hindu : Kerala News : All agencies should put their acts together Traffic in focus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 25, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala

All agencies should put their acts together Traffic in focus

Photo: S. Mahinsha

Chaos reigns: Five roads converge at the Pulimoodu junction in the city, making it a motorist’s nightmare.

Some suggestions to the traffic problems in Thiruvananthapuram: (1) An efficient public transport system; (2) proper traffic signals with timers; (3) traffic police personnel at all major junctions and traffic signal

s, and heavy fine for law-breakers; (4) no use of mobile phones while driving; (5) enforcement of use of helmets for two-wheelers; (6) properly designed speed humps and proper markings on the road; (7) strict enforcement of one-ways; and (8) enforcement of lane system on busy roads.

Renjan Mathew Varghese

Thiruvananthapuram

(1) An efficient public transport system can be put in place only by the KSRTC; (2&3) traffic signal lights are erected in almost all important junctions and police personnel posted to ensure free flow of traffic. But often, the lights go defective. It has to be rectified by Keltron and the city corporation. This has been taken up with the authorities several times. Requisition has been sent to replace old equipment with updated technologies; (4) effective measures are being taken to book those who use mobile phones while driving;(5) effective enforcement is being carried out in this respect also. The city police have booked 41,584 persons who violated the rule during the last six months.

(6) Action in this respect should be taken by the PWD. It is learnt that speed humps were put up at 14 locations in the city recently and steps for proper marking taken; (7) one-way system is introduced on a very few roads in the city, those found violating the rules have been booked and fined; and (8) violation of lane rules is often noticed, but lack of bus-bays and narrow roads often creates problems. However, we have planned to book violators of the lane system in the coming days.

With each passing day, using the roads, either as a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian, is becoming a nightmare. While efforts are on to regulate traffic flow during peak hours, the city is a jaywalker’s paradise.

Zebra-crossings have to be drawn at major points and pedestrians made aware of its use. (Some examples are the road between Mascot Hotel and PMG Junction and between the VJT Hall and the University Library). We do not have many stretches with footpaths, and pedestrians are often forced to use the road. Road-widening has often resulted in the disappearance of footpaths in many stretches!

Bhawani Rajagopalan

Thiruvananthapuram (1) The traffic police are very much concerned about the safety of pedestrians and schoolchildren on city roads; (2) We have already requested the PWD, NH and Roads Divisions to draw zebra lines at specific locations. They explain that it is being delayed due to rain; (3) traffic policemen on duty have been given instructions to direct and help pedestrians and schoolchildren cross the road only through the zebra line. At all major schools, we are deploying women constables also to help the children; and (4) PWD, NH and Road Divisions are the authorised bodies to construct footpath as part of road-widening.

(1) The widening of the Kaimanam-Neyyatinkara stretch of NH 47 has long been mooted. The narrow road often causes traffic congestion during peak hours; (2) uncontrolled processions and dharnas often throw the entire t

raffic flow out of gear; (3) frequent stops of parallel transport vehicles running between Balaramapuram and Parassala cause traffic jam near junctions; (4)erection of hoardings and arches along pavements (most common during festival season) affect smooth traffic flow.

R.S. Sreeram

Neyyattinkara (1) The work has to be undertaken by the NH authorities. The police have no role in it; (2) we are trying to implement the High Court directions in this respect by registering cases and prosecuting them, wherever there are violations; (3) this should be undertaken by the Motor Vehicles Department and by the rural police. Parallel services in the city are strictly restricted; (4) The city Corporation is the authority to remove unauthorised arches along the pavement. Police assistance will be given as and when required by the Corporation. We have brought it to the notice of the Corporation several times before.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section