KOCHI: The tragic death of a woman after being knocked down by a speeding private bus at the Vyttila Mobility Hub last week seems to have served a rude jolt to the authorities.
Officials of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), police, Public Works Department, and the mobility hub are set to hold a consultative meet on Friday on the measures to be taken to avert similar accidents at the hub in the future.
The first of such interventions was made on Wednesday with the rearrangement of entry to the hub. “Earlier, the entry was wide open, tempting reckless private bus drivers to widely swerve vehicles into the hub. We have restricted the access by erecting barricades leaving just enough space for the bus to enter,” Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer P.H. Sadik Ali said.
Kiran, a regular commuter, welcomed the move, though he was doubtful of its limited impact. “Considering the driving culture of private bus drivers, any proposal that reins in rash and negligent driving should be welcomed,” he said.
The MVD also proposes to recommend a couple of measures at the forthcoming consultative meeting to ensure disciplined driving. One proposal is to divide the Kaniyampuzha Road from the point it meets the national highway up to the hub using traffic cones.
“The wide road seems to be an invitation to bus drivers to stomp on the gas pedal after being forced to wade through choked city roads at slow pace. We will have to wait and see how the PWD responds to the suggestion,” Mr. Ali said. The department will also propose a hump on the road as yet another way to slow down drivers.
“A life was lost before the authorities felt the need to put their heads together. Lack of coordination is usually the norm,” an official in the know-how said.
Meanwhile, the MVD authorities said the blame for the accident last week should be shared by both parties. According to them, the woman was reportedly speaking over mobile phone and crossed the road carelessly, whereas the driver was at fault for reckless driving, leaving him with little time and space to manoeuvre.
