ROOPENDU S | DC
KOZHIKODE: “This is not the gulf to wait until the signal turns green,” is the response of a driver when he passes the newly opened signal at Vengalam bypass road in Kozhikode city. This attitude by commuters through Vengalam bypass road has made the signal redundant.
There are two signals at the bypass; at the starting of Vengalam Bridge and another at Pooladikunnu. Both signals do not serve any purpose because most commuters do not have the patience for the light to turn from red to green. And it’s a copycat syndrome here, because even the ones who would stop see other vehicles driving through a red light and do the same.
Vengalam comes under Koyilandy traffic division which has 22km to cover. Police says that it is practically not possible to distribute traffic police to each signal as they have manpower shortage.
“We have observed that either we have to post a cop at the signal or else the Highway Authority has to implement radars to track violations’’ adds R.Haridas Circle Inspector of Police, Koyilandy division.
But public opinion is that no signals are needed at both the places because there is not much traffic. But police claims that the system is being implemented forecasting future needs. “Vengalam could become crowded in the near future. The signals were implemented taking those factors in consideration’’ R.Haridas added.
