Kochi: District Collector K. Muhammed Y. Safirullah on Wednesday ordered for a complete ban on parking along the 17.2-km Container Road linking Kalamassery with the Vallarpadam Container terminal. "The ban is applicable not only for container lorries but all type of vehicles and has come into effect from Wednesday. The Kochi City police, Rural police and the Regional Transport Officer are directed to take action against the offenders and file a report with the collector," a statement issued the by the Collector said.
A parking lot extending over 3 acres of land of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has been readied near Vallarpadam where 75 container lorries can be stationed at a time.
The Collector also directed the respective local self governments (LSG) to set up streetlights along the stretch on a war-footing as part of attempts to cut rising mishaps. “The secretaries of the respective LSGs will be responsible for their functioning and maintenance,” the direction read.
Earlier, the High Court took up the issue suo motu after many deaths were reported due to mishaps caused mainly due to illegal U-Turns and parking of container lorries on both sides. The Collector had convened a meet on July one with all concerned parties involved on the direction of the court. The Container Road stretch, where the streetlights are yet to be set up, witnessed close to 300 mishaps in 2016. Around 1,500 container carriers daily operate out of the Container terminal.
