Accident death has cops drop Vyttila traffic curbs

KOCHI: The police has withdrawn the unscientific traffic changes at busy Vyttila junction after widespread protests against regular accidents it caused. They restored the signal system on Monday, and top police officers were seen managing the traffic. In July, the police closed down the traffic signals and rerouted traffic to decongest the busiest junction. On Sunday, one woman was killed and several injured in an accident at Thykoodam where buses from Vyttila side take a U-turn.

“Since the traders and residents are opposing the traffic reforms, we’ve decided to restore the signal system. The residents have remarked that it didn’t help in easing traffic congestion and were demanding to drop the reforms,” said A. J. George, assistant commissioner (traffic) East. Residents and regular commuters were up in arms against the unscientific reforms, and they staged a series of protests including roadblock and dharna.

Corporators from the area and P.T. Thomas MLA had taken up the matter with top police authorities. After the accident on Sunday, Mr Thomas held discussions with the city police commissioner and based on the public outcry the decision to restore traffic signal was taken. Meanwhile, the MLA has remarked that rather than a temporary arrangement, a permanent solution was needed. He will convene a meeting to discuss the suggestions and recommendations of the public as well as authorities.