The traffic management skills of the city would be put to a serious test once again with Kozhikode hosting two major events that are expected to bring thousands of additional vehicles and people to it, starting from mid-January.
Though the district administration — including the Corporation Mayor and the City Police Commissioner who are in control of the affairs — expresses confidence about the “preparedness in progress” for the events, there are serious concerns, especially about the severe dearth of parking space and the close proximity of some of the important venues such as the main venue of the State School Arts Festival to some of the busiest and crucial roads in the city.
While the week-long arts festival, which is slated to begin on January 15, has 18 venues spread across the city, the National Games, which is schedule to be held from January 31, will have around five key venues in different parts of the already congested city. Mayor A.K. Premajam says various arrangements are being put in place after consultation with different stakeholders.
The initial focus, she says, will be on the successful conduct of the arts festival, which comes first. “We know that there will be a huge inflow of people and vehicles to the city. However, a foolproof system is being worked out by the authorities ,” she says. The movement of the participants and their parents from venues to venues and other key spots will be a priority area.
Prof. Premajam, who states that special stickers are being planned for the vehicles of the participants and other key organisers to move around the city, adds that there will be restrictions for other vehicles to the heart of the city.
City Police Commissioner A.V. George says that a systematic traffic diversion is being worked out by the police in view of the events. The line-buses will have to be diverted from Kannur Road to Beach Road in order to avoid the congestion near the main venue, which is on Kannur Road. Only city buses can be allowed on this road. Mr. George maintains that the traffic police already have a rough idea of what is to be done about the traffic regulations. The final plans will be announced soon.
