For the past few days, travelling to and fro along the busy GPO-Ambujavilasom-Uppidammoodu corridor has become a rather uncomfortable experience for motorists.
The road has been witnessing frequent sewage overflow from three manholes, much to the chagrin of the residents. The situation worsens when the city receives heavy downpours.
Several complaints raised on the issue have compelled the authorities to take up cleaning of the manholes and reconstruction of a manhole that has sunk.
The lack of caution boards or adequate precautionary measures for public safety has posed a threat to the motorists.
The situation is especially serious during the late hours, when lack of light increases the risk of motorists.
In addition, the ongoing maintenance has created a traffic bottleneck in the area. The presence of an entrance coaching centre and the closure of the Vanchiyoor-Old Collectorate road has compounded the problem.
It was with much expectation that most of the city’s commuters looked at the changes in the traffic system, primarily aimed at decongesting the city roads, which were introduced in July-August. From new one-way routes to restrictions on haphazard parking, most importantly on MG Road, the changes were manifold.
But two months on, the changes seem to have been forgotten. The one-way from the SP Fort Hospital towards Pazhavangady, for instance, is namesake, with a policeman standing there not bothering about several cars that squeeze past the sign board instead of taking a left and going via Thakaraparambu.
Haphazard parking, mostly near major textile outlets and malls on M.G. Road and during rush hours, still remains a problem. Action against business establishments that failed to provide parking lots as agreed in their building plans, mostly by the Corporation, too is yet to happen. With the local body elections round the corner, decongestion of the city roads appears to be a priority that has been forced to take a backseat.
Few years ago, motorbike racing on the Vellayambalam-Kowdiar road at night-time had made news after several youngsters were killed in accidents. Motorbike racing, however, is not confined to that stretch alone. With many city roads improved and widened, the sight of youngsters on new-generation motorbikes looking for thrills by speeding away one behind the other is nothing new. Their risky manoeuvres and neglect of driving rules pose a danger to the safety of other motorists and pedestrians.
Apart from racing, speeding bikes are common on the Karamana-Killipalam and Pattom-Plamoodu stretches.
This is especially true on holidays when the roads are relatively less crowded. The dangers of speeding are amplified by the absence of helmets.
(Reporting by Sarath Babu George, Dennis Marcus Mathew, andR.K. Roshni)
