Traffic Chaos in Trivandrum
October 19, 2009
Is it just me or is the trivandrum traffic chaotic? I have been noticing this fact in Trivandrum for the last few months I have been in this capital city.
- People rarely use Zebra crossing even though, unlike Cochin, they are marked very appropriately.
- Automatic Traffic Signals, if not watched over by a policeman, is a complete joke. Here RED is the YELLOW here which means “USE your own discretion if the signal is red!”
- Free left is another joke. If you are turning right, you are o.k to be on the left end of the road!
Though the capital city has done a lot to ensure the huge numbers of pedestrian traffic in Trivandrum, it is ignored blatantly. It makes me wonder if traffic is the real culprit here more than the discipline.
Do let me know your thoughts on the traffic of Trivandrum!
Posted Under: CitizenSpeak, Featured
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Traffic Chaos in Trivandrum
Is it just me or is the trivandrum traffic chaotic? I have been noticing this
hahaa traffic in the city? Its a big joke! The only organized area is between Kowdiar and Palayam, rest could well be described in two words: Total Chaos.
Try driving on the Ulloor-Sreekaryam stretch if you want to know what pandemonium means, especially during peak hours.
All roads are under construction, in the name of Road development, Telecom, Water authority, Japan, Korea and so on..On top of that the politicians roaming here and there without any purpose and the khakhis blocking all avenues for them. Throw in the dharnas, strikes and all those jokes in front of the Secretariat and you’ll get to see the full picture of Trivandrum traffic.
on October 24th, 2009It is not a peculiar thing of Trivandrumites. High time that you should travel across India and tell me which all cities following these rules properly. I have been working in Bangalore for past 7 years and traveled to many big cities in India. Compared to those places i could say Trivandrum is far better.
on October 28th, 2009In fact, Trivandrum has the best traffic discipline in Kerala by far. In other places, one would see private buses exclusively overtaking through your left side, while in Trivandrum it would be motorcyclists who would be transgressing in this manner. Trivandrum also has the most extensive traffic signaling system and the widest and most extensive system of city roads in Kerala. Once the current TCRIP project is complete, it will have one of the best road networks among Tier 2 cities in India.
It is easy to draw benchmarks to Singapore or New York, but when we come around to relevant comparisons with cities in India, Trivandrum performs admirably.
To criticise without regard for the proper perspective is easy but to compare constructively is a bit tougher.
on October 28th, 2009Anand,
In which Indian city have you not seen all the three issues.. or are you saying these problems happen only in Trivandrum
on October 28th, 2009I was drawing comparisons with Cochin and Trivandrum in this post….equals can only be compared…but in cochin, yu do not really find traffic signals so blatantly ignored.
on October 28th, 2009“but in cochin, yu do not really find traffic signals so blatantly ignored.”
Joke of the day !! Had enough laugh. You made my day.
Few months back i read in the news paper also saw in the tv that 2 people killed on the road when the private buses ignored the traffic signals. I think you also might have aware of the same.
on October 28th, 2009“but in cochin, yu do not really find traffic signals so blatantly ignored.”
Whattttt????????/
r u serious.. I assume you are joking
on October 28th, 2009Anand, I spend significant amounts of time trying to negotiate through the chaos in Cochin’s traffic. Firstly, Cochin does not have even a fraction of the number of signals that are found in Trivandrum. Secondly, whatever signals are present do not have any pedestrian signals nor are they solar-powered, so they blink off whenever one of the frequent power outages hit and leave traffic in uncontrolled mayhem.
The private buses disregard whatever signals there are wantonly, as do private vehicles including 4-wheelers. This is a common sight even on busy junctions like Vytilla or Edapally which lie on the NH-47.
Add to this the fact that there is no public transport system other than the private buses which ply at their own whims and fancies and the autos which simply disregard any metering system, and one gets an idea of what a nightmare commuting in Ernakulam is.
And still you think it is better than the situation in Trivandrum, which has wide roads, a public transport system, extensive signals and much better traffic enforcement?
“Yet Brutus is an honorable man”, springs to mind, lol!
on October 28th, 2009Probably Anand is correct. Because in Kochi it is believed that traffic rules are not applicable to Private buses. It is believed that it is other’s responsibility to stay away from them to save their life. Also to make a right turn chopping the left most line is perfectly legal. They are all part of the special rules in Kochi
on October 28th, 2009My only point in this post is the obedience of signals in Trivandrum …..private busses and ksrtc are above the rule across the state regardless of the place they ply in.
on October 28th, 2009“My only point in this post is the obedience of signals in Trivandrum”
We also trying to point out the same thing. This phenomena(obedience of signals) is not just seen in Trivandrum but any other cities in INDIA.
The way you tried to project the topic is like “Oru kayyillathavan oru viral illathavane kalikkkunnathu pole”
on October 28th, 2009Hmm..Interesting, to see the street fight on roads, please come to Bangalore eventhough there is no point in comparing cities.
Aneesh, if you find traffic in trivandrum as in chaos, what will you say about that in other major cities of India.
I was there in TVM during Deepavali also, driving appeared to be so soothing back home…
on October 29th, 2009@Anand
u made my day..lol..
Its getting late for me now..will come back n have more fun…
on October 29th, 2009Anand,
Knee jerk reaction….? mmm
Since Ajay has already said the relevant points, I am spared from writing anything.
Traffic enforcement in Trivandrum is way better than many cities including Bangalore. I have not lived in Cochin, so should not be commenting.
on November 19th, 2009-Nikhil
Yes Nikhil, Ajay know’s what he’s talking about. As for traffic signals, yes there are quite a few in Trivandrum; but people have to get used to the idea that they are there for us to use them properly. We will one day accept the fact they are useful, but that might take awhile. What to do? That’s our nature and we cant help but be like that.
on April 19th, 2010The system is in place. Now, we move on to proper implementation. Traffic cops have to be stationed at least at important intersections.
on May 2nd, 2010Like Anand says, ‘free left is a joke.’ Our people love jumping queues. They are just demonstrating their true nature at traffic signals. Yes, we should have extra traffic cops at busy intersections to make sure violators are booked. Another way to spread awareness is through the visual media, cable TV and cinemas. Awareness programs should be shown on a regular basis urging citizens to report irresponsible behavior.
on May 2nd, 2010discipline is the core of the issue. Everything is just an excuse that we throw about to absolve ourselves of the blame and the responsibility of having to change overselves.
nice thought and thanks for posting
on November 15th, 2010In my last post I missed out mentioning a few things.
1. The traffic density in trivandrum cannot be compared to what is there in Cochin and not close to Blore. Every with this less a density we have this madness. I shudder to think what it would be when it becomes like Blore.
2. Tonight the drive from TPark was an example. Think about this > don’t people who left early have a right to reach early. And just because someone doesn’t get out of their cars and behave uncivilised like the guy who breezes past your left and right (through the opposite lane of course) – does it make those who did this feel POWERFUL. Of course it does – that is why they do it – look at those poor suckers being law abiding. I kept it all together till Chavadimukku – then lost it. I honked the boot out of an indigo taxi who cut in to the left – Unusually he seemed to be pretty decent after that. THAT rarely happens.
3. I heard a lot of mention about look at Blore and other states.
a. please leave blore and build a career here. Then perhaps you’ll understand problems enough to make educated comments and move towards solving them. Mallus have always made great armchair critics.
b. All the talk is about how Kerala has achieved social indices compared to Europe and the developed world. Why then, don’t we compare civic behavior.
c. think about the level of literacy and you might understand why standards of behavior expected is way way more.
d. In case you think that education guarantees something think about it – when I wait to pull out of my lane into the main road – it’s often autorickshaws that give me a break. my colleagues in TPark ofcourse flash by in their sedans. At the Keshavadasapuram round – when i stop to let a car IN THE ROUND by (the law actually mandates that) autos stop by me to let the guys pass. Private cars cut in with not a thought.
At the end of it all why Anand said is spot on – discipline has to come from US (yeah me too – remember the honking) for things to get better. Rather than justify our low standards with others that may or may not be so. Who am I to judge – I ain’t living there. When i spend my life there I’ll comment. But I did spend 10 months in the US – I didn’t see a single good instance of civic behavior that we can’t practice – even on an individual level. All the reasons of why we can’t are just excuses to justify our laziness to do it.
And quit the regional attacks guys – we are all in this together.
Old thread – I know but the problems still remain relevant don’t they??
on November 15th, 2010Why are you guys barking at the author and what is the need for comparisons? But since you have done so much let me ask the following – Which is the only major city in Kerala where the following rules are rarely practiced or enforced – Helmet? Drunk Driving? Seat Belt?
Which is the only city in Kerala where people go on agitations when they are caught not wearing helmets?
on November 18th, 2010There will always be chaos as long as the people are not made aware of their civic responsibilities. Whether in government or public, we have developed a poor attitude towards our fellow citizens by ignoring basic rules and regulations. The rich blame the poor and vice versa. But there are uncaring people in all stratas of society, and their numbers are growing.
on November 18th, 2010One way to find a solution to this problem is to elect more women into government. Men have failed. Why not give them a chance? What more damage could they do?
I think this is a more of a case of individual responsibility rather than looking at someone to enforce a law.
What is it that we can do on the roads as drivers and pedestrians to make thing easier on ourselves and other road users? That is what i am interested in.
on November 19th, 2010I think to reduce traffic blocks is to
on December 5th, 20101.Make more roads & fly over/under bridges
2.Put more local trains & under ground railways
3.People should unite to fight against, irrespective of any type of politics
HI Friends, i’m from trivandrum, and now i’m working at Pune. What i felt is Pune Traffic is the worst and trivandrum’s the best. I’n pune you should be very alert because vehicle may come in any direction. Nobody follows traffic rules, no stop on signals, and dump traffic police and administration. 100 marks to Trivandrum.
Cheers,
on April 21st, 2011Srikanth
@Srikanth
Why better is expected from Kerala. And please let us set our own standards rather than have relative standards. Kerala has been cursed with mediocrity inside the state and excellence outside.
And extract for my comments a few posts earlier..
on April 28th, 2011b. All the talk is about how Kerala has achieved social indices compared to Europe and the developed world. Why then, don’t we compare civic behavior.
c. think about the level of literacy and you might understand why standards of behavior expected is way way more.