KOCHI METRO RAIL WORK MAKES COMMUTING RISKIER

With the piling works of Kochi Metro Rail progressing, many places in  the city have become prone to accidents. The recent incident near Kaloor market wherein an car was hit by a SUV while taking a U-turn is an inkling  towards the unscientific regulations imposed by the authorities. The Deshabhimani junction has turned to be a bottleneck after the barricades for metro work were erected. As per the new traffic curbs, the stretch from Kaloor international stadium to Mathrubhumi junction has got five U-Turns, although two of them are reserved for pedestrians alone. Adding to this is the danger caused by  barricades that obstruct the view from the opposite side. "Already this is a congested area. Now with these barricades, the threat has doubled. People taking the U-turns too are to be blamed. Such careless  driving could result is more unfortunate situations like what happened last day. The Alto was knocked off badly and it barged into the market." said Martin V A, a commuter. With these barricades, more such incidents are likely to happen as the Metro Rail work is progressing, he added. "The openings made between the dividers for Zebra lines are widely used by  the drivers and if this is controlled, perhaps there is a lesser chance of accidents. Traffic jam too can be solved," said a policeman who claimed anonymity. The police officials said more personnel would be given charge once the  Metro works progresses and ribbons and traffic cones would be used to close these openings. There is also an increasing demand to erect more traffic signals rather than posting more policemen. The traffic impasse in front of the stadium where is there is no divider is yet another constraint people are facing. Unauthorized parking too contribute to the snarl-up.