KOCHI:Two months have passed since the gruesome death of an 18 year-old girl on the Seaport-Airport Road stretch. Niya John, a resident of Aluva was crushed to death when a trailer took a sharp turn in front of the Infopark main gate, killing her instantly on the spot.
The incident took place on September 14. Following the uproar that ensued from public and media, the district administration turned to damage control mode and came out with a slew of suggestions to make the city free of accidents.
District Collector M G Rajamanickam who had termed the accident as ‘unfortunate’ had said that the district administration is committed to address the situation on a war footing manner.
Some of the suggestions included filling up of potholes on roads and installation of a traffic signal post at the Infopark Junction. However, when ‘City Express’ visited these places, it was found that the authorities had failed to implement these suggestions and several accidents, both major and minor, are still being reported at the stretch on a continual basis.
According to city police, though several issues still persist on the Seaport-Airport stretch which include absence of edge marking, central lines, street lights, reflectors, convex mirrors at sharp turns and others, these issues are not being addressed.
In addition, the restrictions imposed for tippers at the stretch also has created hassles for CBSE schools. According to the CBSE schools association, the restrictions have been imposed from 8.30 am to 9.30 am and 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm which is favourable only for state schools which function between 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
“ The traffic regulation will be of no use to us. The CBSE schools usually start from 8 am on wards. At this time, tippers and cargo lorries move around these roads creating danger.
We are considering to submit a representation based on a state-level meeting which is due on Sunday,” said Indira Rajan, general secretary, Kerala Central Board of Secondary Eeducation (CBSE) School Management Association.
When ‘City Express’ spoke to Harishankar, Assistant Commissioner of Police, he said that the police could only comply to government orders though they were aware of the issue.
“ A government order has been issued regarding the restriction of heavy vehicles during school hours. Though we are aware that CBSE schools operate earlier, we are helpless,” he said while speaking on the incident.