New Kozhikode city police chief has his task cut out

Newly appointed Kozhikode city police chief A. Akbar | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Newly appointed police chief A. Akbar has a Herculean task at hand to overhaul the disorderly traffic in Kozhikode city.

Ever since the State government withdrew COVID-19 restrictions, the city has been witnessing longer traffic jams and newer bottlenecks at many places even during non-peak hours. Some of the arterial roads such as Karikkamkulam-Karaparamba, Eranhipalam-Karaparamba, Meenchanda mini bypass, Malaparamba-Civil Station, Thondayad- Methottuthazham, Palayam-Kallayi and Mavoor road have turned chock-a-block full of vehicles.

The Traffic department, with two Assistant Commissioners of Police and a horde of personnel including sub inspectors, assistant sub inspectors and civil police officers along with numerous home guards to assist them, has enough staff to manage the system. Unfortunately, the officers policing the roads have a tough time enforcing rules for various reasons such as non-functional traffic lights and laying of pipelines.

Another menace is that of young bikers performing risky stunts and speeding on public roads. The traffic police urgently need to intensify the crackdown against bike stunts in the city.

Previously, the Traffic department studiously traced vehicles for rash and negligent driving. Those vehicles entering the city from the suburbs such as Feroke and Koduvally and rural areas such as Koyilandy, Perambra, Nanmanda, Vadakara and Kuttiyadi have been found violating traffic rules.

Vehicles registered at Sub Regional Transport Offices at Thalassery, Taliparamba, Thirurangadi, Perinthalmanna and Tirur had also been under scrutiny earlier.

Despite the increased police vigil, traffic indiscipline has become common on the city roads. On-street and off-street parking have been attributed to moving bottlenecks at many places . At times, the disruption of traffic flow remains unchecked for long hours.

Another task in hand for the new police chief is the maintenance of law and order in the entire area of Kozhikode Corporation; Feroke and Ramanattukara municipalities, Kadalundy and Olavanna, Thalakkulathur, Kakkodi, Kuruvattoor, Madavoor, Mavoor, Perumanna, Kunnamangalam, Chathamangalam and Peruvayal grama panchayats.

Overall crime rate in the region is relatively less when compared to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities. However, the police have to step up its activities to prevent the increasing drug peddling and abuse in the city.