Thiruvananthapuram: Death trap in East Fort

Thiruvananthapuram: Utter chaos continues at East Fort, which is infamous for accidents and pedestrian deaths, as the authorities turn a blind eye towards irrational and haphazard parking by the KSRTC and private bus operators.

The ongoing tug of war between KSRTC and private buses has claimed several lives over the years. A woman was run over at East Fort on Thursday.

The authorities, including the district administration or traffic, have not taken any effort to sort out the issue.

The relocation of KSRTC bus terminal to Enchakkal and a slew of other proposals aiming at decongesting East Fort continue to gather dust.

Trivandrum Road De-velopment Corporation Ltd (TRDCL), the concessionaire of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP), claims that ditching of the approved development plan of the region is the prime reason for the traffic confusion and deaths.

Managing director of TRDCL Anil Kumar Pandala said that the double bus bay constructed at East Fort for ensuring smooth traffic in the region was demolished following pressure from traffic authorities. TRDCL is planning to take up the issue with the chief secretary soon.

“KSRTC has encroached on 90 percent of the road causing traffic congestion in the entire stretch. Traffic authorities are turning a blind eye to the ongoing tussle between KSRTC and private buses. Vehicles are parked over the designated pedestrian crossing resulting in accidents and deaths. Everyone, including trade unions, is responsible for every death and accidents happening at East Fort,” said Mr Pandala.

He said that the corporation was yet to take up the proposal under the Capital Region Development Programme (CRDP) to construct a subway-cum- marketplace under the Gandhi Park.

The traffic authorities said that a high-level intervention was needed to sort out the issues at East Fort.

“There is an ongoing case in the High Court between the KSRTC and private bus operators. A stakeholder meeting should be convened to discuss the issues,” said the official.

Meanwhile, KSRTC blamed private buses for the chaos at East Fort.