District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla on Friday took to public transport in the city — a bus and a ferry ride — to get to his workplace and to know people’s grievances first hand.
Starting on foot from his camp office near Durbar Hall ground, Mr. Safirulla, accompanied by Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer Reji P. Varghese, took a bus from Maharaja’s College Ground bus stop to reach Vyttila. This was part of his schedule to get to know the impact of the new traffic regulations at Vyttila where the flyover work is in progress.
From the Vyttila Mobility Hub, Mr. Safirulla, along with the RTO, representatives of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and Centre for Public Policy Research and other civil society organisations, took a ferry service to Kakkanad to reach the civil station.
The officials’ interaction with passengers on buses and ferry brought in various suggestions to improve traffic regulations at Vyttila as well as the possibility of improving boat services from the Vyttila hub to Kakkanad. Among the suggestions were reinstatement of feeder services from Kakkanad jetty to Infopark and signages to inform the public about traffic re-arrangements at Vyttila junction.
The journey was also part of efforts to promote public transport.
The Collector also launched stickers on the occasion of the fifth Public Transport Day. The stickers are aimed at creating awareness on the benefits of using public transport.
The first Friday of every month is observed in the city as Public Transport Day. The year-long campaign was launched by Centre for Public Policy Research, residents’ associations, industry bodies, and civil society organisations.
Connectivity issues
Mr. Safirulla said feeder services from boat jetties would be streamlined. He added that the district administration would also look into connectivity problems in Kakkanad, especially for those travelling to Infopark.
D. Dhanuraj, chairperson, Centre for Public Policy Research, said the ferry ride was the highlight of the day as it showed the importance of ferry services as a cheap, less polluting and congestion-free mode of transport.
Awards given away
Earlier at the Vyttila hub, the Collector gave away Sreshta Sanchaari Puruskaaram, an award instituted by KMRL for metro passengers, to Kurian George, Prabha S., and Shefy Niyas.
