HC directive to introduce new traffic regulations in Kochi

The court was of the view that the traffic had to be regulated in such a manner so as to protect pedestrians and other travellers in Kochi.

The court mentioned the bad condition of roads and the ongoing metro works while asking authorities to formulate a new traffic regulating system for the city. File Photo

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State government, Public Works Department and Kochi Corporation to file affidavits explaining the steps taken by them in compliance with its directive to repair roads in the city on a war footing.

Justice A.Muhamed Mustaque also directed the Assistant Commissioner, Traffic to convene a meeting of the officials of the public works and motor vehicle departments and other departments to formulate a traffic regulating system for the city in the light of the metro works and bad condition of roads. The court was of the view that the traffic had to be regulated in such a manner so as to protect pedestrians and other travellers in the city. The meeting should be convened in two weeks.

The court ordered that the decision of the meeting should be placed before the court by September 30.

The directives came on the petition filed by Rengadasa Prabhu, President of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council.

Expressing his displeasure over non-compliance of the directives, the judge reminded the authorities that the court had on August 18 directed the public works department and the district collector to take immediate steps to repair all roads.

The court observed that the report of the Assistant Commissioner of Polices, Traffic, West showed that the traffic violations in the city continued unabated despite stringent measures taken by the police.

In a report, K.S. Baby Vinod, Assistant Commissioner of Police had pointed out that that the police had registered cases against drivers under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 279 (rash driving) of Indian Penal Code. As many as 12443 cases had been registered against vehicle owners from August 18 to August 29 on various charges. Besides, 87 bus drivers had been booked for rash, negligent and reckless driving in the city. The city police were taking all efforts to enforce safety of road users. The police would continue its drive against private buses and other vehicles found violating traffic rules.

Eom.