Though the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has introduced lane-traffic system twice along the Aroor-Edappally stretch, it is yet to be implemented thanks to the laxity on the part of the authorities in enforcing the rules.
According to sources with MVD, the system was first launched by the department in association with the Traffic Police a couple of years ago as part of facilitating safe and congestion-free journey for motorists along the stretch.
However, the system was rolled back in mid-way. Four months ago, the traffic system was re-launched along the same stretch by Transport Commissioner Rishiraj Singh.
As per the plan of the Commissioner, the MVD and the Traffic officials would create awareness about the lane-traffic system among drivers passing through the stretch by distributing leaflets containing the rules at Aroor Toll Plaza in the first month. After a month of awareness campaign, the lane-traffic violation will be penalised.
However, sources said even after the second launch, there is no relief from traffic woes as lane-traffic violations have become frequent along the stretch.
“The officials stepped back from the initiative after creating some initial buzz after the launch of the system. The authorities had even conducted one-month long awareness programme at the Toll Plaza in a week. At present, there are no vehicles which abide the lane-traffic system. The officials are least bothered about the implementing the system. Besides, no police official has been posted near the plaza to monitor the traffic rule violation,” said Suresh Kumar, a commuter.
There are complaints that the lack of lane indiscipline, irrespective of heavy and light vehicles, is causing traffic bottlenecks along the stretch.
Traffic Snarl-ups at Vyttila Jn
According to commuters, the laxity of the authorities in implementing the lane-traffic system has been restricting commuters from taking free-left at Vyttila Junction. “As most vehicles disobey lane-traffic rule at the junction, this is preventing other vehicles from taking free-left. Many times ambulances services were affected due to this,” commuters said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Traffic Police (Edappally) P P Shams said they were strictly monitoring the lane-traffic system in the city.
“We have assigned traffic officials at every significant junctions, including Aroor Toll Plaza, to check lane-traffic violators,” he said.