Speeding buses turn road stretch into dangerous alley

The drivers put the lives of other motorists in dangerby stopping the bus abruptly to allow commutersto board the vehicle from wherever they like

Pedestrians are at a great risk from speeding private buses on the busy stretch between Padamugal and Palarivattom traffic junction.— Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

Speeding private buses have made life difficult for motorists and pedestrians using the busy stretch between the Palarivattom traffic signal and Padamugal near Kakkanad.

Residents and shop owners in the area said that cut-throat competition among the bus crew was a major reason for the increasing traffic offences by private buses plying on the Kaloor-Kakkanad route.

The widening of the bridge over the Edappally canal and removal of a few traffic bottlenecks near Padivattom seem to have encouraged the bus drivers to turn reckless along one of the busiest roads in the city.

Residents said private bus drivers often overtook through the left or parked the buses in the middle of the road. They also put the lives of other motorists in danger by stopping the bus abruptly to allow commuters to board the vehicle from wherever they like.

The dangerous spots along the stretch include Padivattom (between the bus stop and Assisi Vidyaniketan School) and Padamugal. Bus drivers begin speeding immediately after they leave the bus stops at Alinchuvadu (when going towards Kakkanad) and Vazhakkala (towards Kaloor).

Buses are also seen going on the wrong side of the road while trying to overtake in congested traffic and get more passengers in a trip. Other motorists are denied their right to travel safely owing to this errant crew.

Even a minor accident leads to a long queue of vehicles amidst the heavy traffic along the route. Lack of humps, especially near educational institutions located near the main road, has added to the woes of the public.

Enforcement officials merely made the oft-repeated statement that the issue had come to their notice and that it would be presented before the meeting of the Road Transport Authority. With the police and the motor vehicles department failing to act, the public have no option but to constantly look over their shoulder while using the route.

Improper laying of concrete slabs over storm water drains and pedestrian friendly pavements has affected the smooth movement of vehicles in several city areas.

Work on replacing old concrete slabs with new ones is progressing at a brisk pace.

But the contractors seem the least bothered about ensuring that the slabs are placed properly to ensure the free flow of vehicles and pedestrians.

Residents said that the lack of a regulatory mechanism to ensure guidelines while digging roads and laying concrete slabs had helped the contractors to go about as they wish.