Kozhikode: Vehicles are blatantly violating traffic signals on the 28.12-km bypass from Vengalam to Idimuzhikkal, setting the alarm bell ringing. Barring the main junctions like Malaparamba and Thondayad, there is hardly traffic police throughout the day. Besides the traffic violations, what makes the situation more vulnerable is that the stretch has more crossroads making it accident prone.
“One cannot apply accelerator on a straight road here unlike other bypass roads as there are numerous crossovers. What is most terrific is that the violating vehicles have a free run,” fumes Saji K.C., a regular traveller. During the construction stage itself, authorities have warned of allowing more crossroads. PWD (NH) officials say around 536 accidents have occurred in the first (Idimuzhikkal-Pantheerankavu) and second stretch (Pantheerankavu-Thondayad junction) of the bypass alone, claiming 112 lives.
Vengalam, where the bypass joins the main road has a bus stop for the buses coming from Kozhikode side, just in front of the traffic signal. But local buses will take passengers from the bus stop and proceed without taking care of the red signal. PWD (NH) executive engineer K. Vinayaraj said surveillance cameras should be streamlined to catch traffic offenders. “The development of the bypass to four-lane would be carried out in March by NHAI. The existing crossing roads would make way for underpasses as was proposed,” he said.
Meanwhile, a traffic police officer pleaded ignorant over the issue. The entire Kozhikode bypass, connecting Idimuzhikkal to Vengalam, comprising of 28.12 km consists of five phases--Idimuzhikkal to Pantheerankavu (7.25 km), Pantheerankavu-Thondayad junction (6.17 km), Thondayad-Malaparamba junction (2. 74 km), Malaparamba-Pooladikunnu (6.86 km) and Pooladikunnu-Vengalam (5.10 km).
