KOCHI: Not only illegal parking but also unscientific autorickshaw stands pose a threat to the lives of the people of the city. Most of the autorickshaw stands in the city have been constructed at the heart of the junction.
For instance, the autorickshaw stand on the eastern side of North Railway Station. Auto drivers have encroached upon nearly the entire road which leads to the railway station. With the vehicles being parked diagonally, the 4.5 metre wide road is now a mere 2 metre. Since this is the shortest way to Banerji road nearly all passengers use the stretch, but autos parked here restrict movement.
“The haphazardly parked autorickshaws along the road leading to platform two of Ernakulam North Railway Station are an hindrance. The narrow road has turned even narrower due to this. People have to hug the walls of the houses along the road to escape from being crushed by vehicles,” Dipu, a passenger who works at a private firm near Kaloor.
According to people, the need for a stand at eastern entrance is non-existent. “There is an auto stand just a stone’s throw away from the eastern entrance. Even people who arrive by cars can’t go near to the entrance. The authorities must shift the stand from here,” said a senior citizen, who lives nearby.