A seminar on ‘Future roads and traffic problems’ organised by the Lions Club here on Friday stressed on the importance of better planning by government officials and engineers while executing road projects.
People’s representatives and delegates who addressed the programme contended that the lack of better planning was visible in several city roads.
Mayor A.K. Premajam who opened the seminar said that some of the government officials believed that the City Corporation was responsible for maintaining all the roads within its geographical area.
“Even we received a notice threatening disciplinary action from one of such body for the poor state of a road near the City Police Commissioner Office,” she said.
Coordination
Ms. Premajam, who stressed on the need for better coordination among various government departments for traffic improvement and road development, pointed out that the enforcement of various rules in the sector was not seriously taken up by officials.
“In most of the cases, it is not the fault of the vehicle, but the carelessness of the driver that causes accidents,” she observed.
Delivering the key-note address A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, said the engineering wing of various government departments was just reproducing outdated structural designs and building concepts.
“Comparing to the architecture adopted in the construction of flyovers and walkways in developed countries, we are far behind,” he remarked.
Mr. Pradeepkumar also described the ‘Manjunatha Rao road’ as the “best example for the worst road in the city” for its unending maintenance work and poor engineering plan.
“The harbour engineering department which is supervising the work will be held responsible for the laxity,” he asserted.
Former Lions Club Governor Vineesh Vidyadharan presided over the seminar. Regional Transport Officer Rajiv Puthalath, Calicut Development Authority chairman N.C. Aboobacker, Assistant Commissioner (traffic) M.C. Devassia and representatives of various organisations presented papers on the topic.
