The traffic police in the city have intensified their drive against illegal parking with a fresh collection of 30 wheel clamps.
In spite of strict measures introduced by the traffic police, it has been found that many drivers pay no heed to norms, inconveniencing other drivers and commuters. Parking vehicles along narrow roads and in front of buildings has been causing traffic problems across the city.
Once a vehicle is clamped for illegal parking, the owner has to pay a fine of ₹600 to get the clamp removed by the end of the day. The vehicles will be lugged away using cranes at the end of the day and the owner will have to pay additional charges to retrieve the vehicle. While clamps are used on four wheelers, chains are used on motorcycles parked illegally. A single chain is used to secure around 10 motorcycles.
Assistant Traffic Commissioner Raju P.K. said that around 900 vehicle owners were fined in 2017 on account of illegal parking in the city. The main areas where vehicles are often parked illegally include Thondayad-Mavoor Road Junction, Palayam, Arayadathu Palam, Puthiyara, Railway Station Road and Kannur Road.
“Not many drivers tend to park illegally in areas frequented by the police. But, on the roads that are not under constant police observation drivers tend to be careless and park haphazardly,” he said.
