Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 16: Mayor Diwakar directed the officials of revenue, health along traffic police department to evict unauthorized street vendors who have encroached footpaths to sell vegetables, fish, and other commodities, thereby to allow free movement of pedestrians on Tuesday, February 16.

The mayor took this decision following the complaints from several corporators who alleged that footpaths that were being encroached and that it was causing problems to pedestrians, during the traffic coordination committee meeting held at City Corporation here.

"Officials should take strict action against those who occupy the footpaths, without budging to any influence from corporators. MCC had permitted vendors to sell products in pushcarts, not on footpaths," the mayor said.

Deputy commissioner of police (Crime and Traffic) Vinay A Gaonkar who was present in the meeting stated that following the lockdown, the rate of public purchasing two-wheelers and four-wheelers have increased. "As the city is small the inflow traffic movement is more. The statistics from the RTO witnessed a nearly 20 per cent hike in the purchase of four-wheelers," DCP said.

He further said that there is a provision to act against those who encroached the footpaths or the road margin under the Karnataka Police Act. DCP also sought Mangaluru City Corporation to allot a separate team and two vehicles to clear the roads and footpath.

On the corporator's complaint about old vehicles and abandoned vehicles parked in front of police stations and other parts of the city, DCP said, "We asked the RTO department to clear the abandoned vehicles in the city. The RTO has also taken necessary measures to clear it. But, the police department cannot clear some of the old vehicles as the cases are in the court due to criminal cases. Until the court permits.

He said that the police department has given the proposal to MCC to grant the funds for installing CCTV cameras and other works of traffic through Smart City Project.  "At present, there are 171 CCTV cameras, they are of older versions, it should be replaced with newer versions."

On complaint about auto-drivers charging exorbitant charges, DCP said the public can inform the police department. "You can click a photo of the vehicle number and send it to us. We will take the necessary action." He also directed ACP Nataraj to direct the auto-drivers to install driver details behind the driver's seat."

DCP confirmed that there are only 54 'no parking' areas in the city. Earlier it was 61 after reconsidering it is now 54 no parking places.

The DCP suggested the MCC officials constitute the Traffic Engineers Experts Committee so that the traffic problem is scientifically studied and resolved.

Several corporators also complained about private buses in the city cutting down their trips.

Corporators stated that the private buses are cutting down their trips in the places like Bajal, Faizal Nagar, Veeranagar routes. Regarding this, the mayor asked the RTO officials to do the needful.

Corporator Naveen D'Souza said that there are no proper signboards and traffic signals in the city. Hence, MCC should take necessary measures. He also said that while towing the two-wheelers, it should be towed carefully without damaging the vehicle. Police should announce before towing the vehicles.

Corporator Bhaskar K raised the issue of barricades and reeling in NH at KPT,  "It is creating a problem to the public and vehicles from the opposite direction cannot be seen," he said.

Corporator AC Vinayaraj said that people are putting their life at risk while crossing the road near Ambedkar Circle, as there is no zebra crossing. Corporator Praveen Chandra Alva demanded to stop the vehicle towing in the city for four months until smart city works are completed. Corporator Shashidhar Hegde suggested after seeking a report from experts in NITK for the traffic problem in the city and later approving in the council to proceed further.

Corporator Poornima said that private buses are avoiding the circles during their trips. "Commuters are facing problems as the lorries are being parked on both sides of BR Road. She also complained about congestion in the central market road, as the street vendors have encroached sides of the road.

MCC commissioner Akshay Shridar said that the MCC will act to evict the street vendors who have encroached footpaths. "We will form two dedicated squads for Mangaluru and Suratkal to evict the encroachments," he said.

"The works on the traffic signage boards and the signals are under process. For the long-term solution for the traffic problem, we also take suggestions from the expert committee and after tabling the report in the meeting further course of action will be taken," he said.