75 traffic wardens deployed in Kozhikode to ease congestion

​A team of 75 traffic wardens has been deployed in Kozhikode city to assist the police in regulating traffic at major congestion points. The initiative is expected to improve the flow of vehicles in areas where regular traffic management has remained a challenge for the police.

​Proposed by District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) A.P. Shoukathali, the project is being implemented under Rotary Calicut East’s ‘My City, Accident-Free City’ campaign in collaboration with the Road Traffic Regulation Committee and the City Traffic Enforcement Unit. Kozhikode South MLA Fyzal Babu inaugurated the project at the Police Club on Wednesday evening (August 5).

A warden managing traffic flow at C.H. Flyover in Kozhikode on August 6.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

​The wardens underwent a four-day training programme at the District Police Headquarters before being deployed for a week of supervised field training. They were selected from volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and the Fire and Rescue Services department. Besides regulating traffic, they have been entrusted with documenting traffic violations by collecting digital evidence and submitting reports to the authorities.

Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday (August 6), K. Abdul Hakkim, Traffic Inspector, hoped that the deployment of traffic wardens at chronic congestion points would help reduce traffic congestion by nearly 60% in the city. “Once the training is fully completed and the wardens begin full-time duty, the traffic police will be able to focus more on enforcing traffic rules,” he added.

The wardens have been stationed at key traffic bottlenecks, including Malaparamba, Government Medical College, and Karaparamba Junction, a busy intersection of five roads, including the mini bypass and the Balussery State Highway, where congestion is a regular occurrence.

Officials said traffic flow had improved at several locations following the deployment of traffic wardens. However, heavy traffic continued to be reported during peak hours at Mananchira-Beach Road Junction and Palayam Junction, mainly due to vehicles from Wayanad Road entering Mavoor Road and merging with traffic using the free-left lane towards the beach area.

​The deployment comes at a crucial time as police continue to grapple with severe underlying traffic issues. Narrow roads across the city routinely struggle to handle the volume of vehicles, while motorists frequently ignore the one-way rule, drive recklessly, and park indiscriminately on and off the street.

Besides, drivers routinely block free-left turns at traffic signals, compounding delays at already crowded intersections and creating significant hazards for traffic officers trying to manage the flow, an officer said.

(The writer, Aleesha V. Joseph, is an intern with The Hindu)