ThiruvananThapuram: Following the invasion of vehicles in the NH bypass on Christmas day because the people who handed over the newly opened mall in Akkulam, the city police have decided to apply a blanket ban in the vehicle park along Chackai to Kazhakootam.
The decision was taken when vehicle parking that was difficult to recite above the shoulder of the bypass road was found to be the main contributor from the massive traffic on the stretch.
The statement issued by the City Police Commissioner Balramkumar Upadhyay said that it had note that irregular vehicle parking not only caused traffic to inhibit but lead to accidents as well.
Therefore, strict action will be taken against motorists who park their vehicles along the bypass stretch.
Consider there are a large number of commercial companies, including leading restaurants, along stretches, this ban tends to provide way for resistance from local traders.
A year ago, the district government must be removed by the transfer of traffic proposed in Kazhakootam Junction to facilitate high road works following strong protests from local traders.
Vice Commissioner of Police (Law & Order and Traffic) Vaibhav Saxena said that the police anticipated the resistance.
However, they have decided to continue plans to impose parking prohibits considering the security of motorists and pedestrians using stretches.
“There are provisions in national highway laws that prohibit vehicle parking along the highway.
City police only apply these provisions.
This is not a new law introduced by the city police,” Saxena said.
DCP further said that road services on both sides of the bypass stretch were not under the NH law.
After saying it, the police will take strict action if they see obstructive parking too, he said.
With the city police carrying a blanket ban in parking along bypass, City Corporation tends to continue with paid parking along the stretch as part of checking unscrupulous parking.
The corporate authority said that apart from major city streets, only two stretches were previously considered for paid parking.
Previously, the traffic advisory committee had directed Natpac to conduct a feasibility study of introducing paid parking on Jalan Kumarapuram-Venpalavattom and Jalan College Medical Pottakuzhi.
However, the proposal was never realized.
“Regarding paid parking at my bypass, it will need a big workforce.
Paid parking returns have bleak in the past two years, mainly because of covid-induced locking.
Paid parking viability is the main factor when introduced to bypass because the length of the stretch is the main aspect,” said A corporate official.
The corporation focuses more on pedestrian safety along the bypass.
People are vehicle parking randomly on the street service and then they cross the road to shopping centers.
It’s very dangerous because the vehicle comes at high speed and pedestrian safety is a major concern, the official added.