The functionaries of the private bus operators’ association in Kozhikode district point out that many of the auto bays and taxi stands along the accident-prone routes will have to be relocated if the road safety squads are willing to initiate stringent action. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
A section of private bus operators has held the merchants accountable for encouraging the dangerous wayside parking on the Kozhikode-Kuttiyadi road, which reportedly leads to frequent moving bottlenecks and traffic interruptions. They allege that the safety concerns raised by the private bus drivers in the area are still ignored, with the lack of support from the police and home guards.
“These days, the merchant association members are in the forefront of protest against us with a claim that we are the ones completely responsible for the increasing road accidents on the route. At least, they should introspect their role in creating bottlenecks on the busy route,” said a private bus driver from Kuttiyadi. He said no one was concerned about understanding the drivers’’ pressure to overcome such man-made bottlenecks created out of sheer negligence.
The functionaries of the private bus operators’ association in Kozhikode district point out that many of the auto bays and taxi stands along the accident-prone routes will have to be relocated if the road safety squads are willing to initiate stringent action. At least there should be immediate action to address such issues in Perambra town, one of the most congested spots, they add.
“Though the police have promised action against private auditorium owners who encourage way-side parking, we have no trust in such verbal assurances as the issue has been pending for action for several years,” says C. Rajeesh, a private bus employee. At least the newly constituted enforcement squad should check it and initiate action, he demands.
Some of the private bus operators also called for a scientific study on the actual reasons that prompt private bus drivers to violate speed limit regulations. They claimed that it would clearly expose the existing flaws in enforcing parking rule regulations and the unscientific time schedule fixed for each operator, unmindful of the field-level hazards.
At the same time, the merchant organisation leaders dismissed the bus operators’ allegations and stated that many shop owners had already arranged their own convenient parking spots. They also argued that the traders should not be blamed for the reckless parking habits of unknown shoppers.
Meanwhile, police officers who recently held a discussion with the private bus operators said the already raised concerns would be addressed with high priority. Also, there would be some field-level action to decongest the accident-prone stretches and bus stand premises for smooth traffic, they said.
Published – July 26, 2025 05:06 pm IST