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
saranjith (4)
renjith (2)
Afi (1)
archa (1)
arun raj (1)
Balise (1)
Ben Jacob (1)
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, 2010