KOZHIKODE: Protesting against the ill treatment of traffic police and frequent traffic regulations, the private buses operating from Palayam bus stand have decided to go an indefinite strike from November 21. According to the private bus operators, more than 100 buses coming from different parts of the suburbs and from rural towns like Mavoor, Koduvally, and Mukkom, are forced to ply an extra kilometre from Aryidathupalam to reach the Palayam bus station due to the frequent regulations made by the officials.
Private Bus owners association Suresh Babu said, “There are frequent complaints about the unexpected and frequent traffic reforms initiated by the traffic department, which result in a loss of money. Also, buses are unable to keep up the scheduled bus time. The officials frequently take action against our buses for using the bridge road. Because of these reasons, buses will stay off the roads from November 21,” he added.
Talking to DC, Traffic CI TP Sreejith said that earlier buses enjoyed an easy way to Palayam using the bridge which resulted in frequent traffic congestion in the city. “Hence in the recent past we made it mandatory for buses plying within 25 kilometers in the city must use the Arayadathupalam bridge road, whereas buses plying more than 25 kms must use the road under the bridge which leads to Puthanathazham junction via Palayam stand,” Mr Sreejith said.
This change was made mandatory because it was the only solution to avoid traffic congestion. “But most of the time, buses meant to ply beneath the bridge take the Arayadathupalam road, hence we often take action. This is the major reason why they(the bus lobby) express apprehension,” he explained.
