Vehicles carrying dangerously protruding iron rods and pipes are having a free ride in the city.
As per the rules framed by the Union Road Transport Ministry, no vehicle is permitted to carry rods, pipes or any protruding material beyond the body frame.
But there is little compliance going by the increasing number of trucks and goods carriers found transporting iron rods, concrete and bamboo poles and wooden logs.
The city had witnessed several accidents, where two-wheelers and car drivers had rammed vehicles carrying protruding materials. Many of these trucks did not have prominent red flags or high-visible lights and reflectors, leading to accidents, especially in the night hours.
The Motor Vehicles Department has not been able to crack down on vehicles carrying protruding rods and pipes, offering the drivers a free run.
But B.J. Antony, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) in Ernakulam, said that offenders would not escape the eyes of the enforcement agencies, with the department deciding to set up more surveillance cameras to check violations.
The department had already set up 57 cameras to monitor violations of traffic rules between Cherthala and Manjeswaram in the north of the State. Installation of another 90 cameras was in progress. The MVD also planned to bring four more routes including Shornur-Mannarcaud, Ottapalam-Palakkad, Cherppu-Irinjalakkuda and Vadanapilly-Manakkody, under its camera surveillance network, he said.
Besides over-speeding, ignoring traffic signals, overloading, non-use of helmet, carrying loads in dangerous manner and violation of lane traffic could now come under the scanner.
Mr. Antony said that drivers carrying dangerous materials causing harm to the public would get a penalty of Rs. 1,000. Minor offences will invite a fine of Rs. 100.
He said that the public in Kochi could also report on vehicles carrying materials beyond the body frame either through an SMS (8547639121) or by making a call (8547639146). They could also click a picture of the vehicle and send it to kl07@keralamvd.com. It will be uploaded on MVD’s official website for follow-up action.
Pedestrians at risk
Vehicles jumping signals have made life tough for pedestrians at the crossing near Edappally on the Edappally-Aroor bypass. Reckless drivers ignore the traffic signal, often leaving the pedestrians helpless in the roadway.
The pedestrian crossing is being used by people who want to reach the service roads of the bypass.
Even though a police patrol team is found parked near the pedestrian crossing, the officials seem more interested in checking trucks and goods carriers.
Crossing the zebra line turns risky in the night hours when the region experiences heavy traffic.
Pedestrians are at the mercy of the vehicle owners who move at high speed even when the pedestrian signal turns green.
The absence of a police man to check the violations remains a major bottleneck in ensuring the rules.
