Lack of vision, planning irks motorists on Mavoor Road
KOZHIKODE: Lack of vision and planning of the city traffic police has been causing hardships to motorists on the arterial Mavoor Road, a portion of which was dug up by the Corporation for drainage works.
The city traffic police could not implement a proper traffic management plan to regulate vehicles proceeding towards Arayidathupalam junction from Rajaji Road and from Mavoor Road.
Motorists have been suffering for more than a month but the police have not done anything. Police kept changing traffic regulations, sometimes within minutes, that forced motorists to take long roundabout routes to reach their destination.
Patients to Baby Memorial Hospital and movie-goers to the city’s prominent multiplex were the worst hit. Vehicles to Kozhikode Medical College from the city side are also badly affected by the ineffectiveness of the traffic police.
“They do not apply their mind. From Rajaji Road Junction to Arayidathupalam, one track can be used permanently for vehicle movement and they just need to put some extra police personnel to regulate the traffic. Instead of helping free flow of traffic, police are trying to add to the chaos on the road,” Mohammed Ali, a shop keeper on Mavoor Road said.
Due to lack of proper traffic management, a large stretch on Mavoor Road remains inaccessible for motorists. Even if they take a roundabout route, via Stadium Junction and Jail Road they can only reach Arayidathupalam Junction but the area between Arayidathupalam and Rajaji Road junction remains inaccessible for motorists.
“When I went to a restaurant on Rajaji Road on Monday afternoon, police were allowing vehicles a right turn from Rajaji Road. When I returned to go to Baby Memorial Hospital about 20 minutes later, they did not allow me a right turn, forcing me to take a roundabout route and I was late for my doctor’s appointment. They should have either permanently blocked the traffic on the stretch where work is going on or allowed traffic on one track,” Anoop K, a city resident said.
When contacted, the city traffic assistant commissioner, South, Abdul Razak, said he was away from Kozhikode and needed to study the situation. “I have to see what the traffic situation is at that place as I am unaware of the new traffic regulations,” he added.
