Smart Roads in Thiruvananthapuram Turn into Parking Corridors
The city's ambitious Smart City project, which aimed to improve traffic flow and provide a seamless travel experience, has hit a roadblock. Unchecked vehicle parking has resulted in traffic congestion on several key roads, raising questions about the authorities' inaction in curbing such indiscriminate parking.
Affected Roads in Thiruvananthapuram
- Killippalam–Attakulangara road: Large lorries have become a major source of disruption, with trucks carrying goods from other states often parked at this location for days.
- Thycaud–Vellayambalam stretch: Vehicles belonging to customers visiting commercial establishments that lack adequate parking facilities are being left along the roadside.
- General Hospital Junction–Vanchiyoor road: This road is also experiencing severe congestion due to illegal parking.
Causes of Traffic Congestion
The congestion is particularly severe on the stretch used as a shortcut from Karamana to Kizhakkekotta. According to local commuters, this area is prone to traffic jams due to the large number of trucks carrying goods from other states that are parked at this location for extended periods.
Call for Action from Authorities
The Road Fund Board had urged authorities to regulate illegal parking before the road was opened to ensure smooth traffic flow. However, it is alleged that no effective action has been taken, resulting in the city's smart roads turning into parking corridors.
Key Points:
- Twelve roads in Thirvanthapuram have been upgraded under the Smart City project.
- Electric and telephone poles were removed, and cables were laid underground to improve traffic flow.
- Despite efforts to improve traffic flow, vehicle parking has become a major issue on several key roads.