Kochi: Severe traffic congestion in Kochi city shows no signs of easing despite numerous reforms implemented by the authorities. The latest ‘experiment’—deploying police personnel to manually control traffic at junctions during peak hours after switching off the signal lights, introduced following a court directive—has also proved ineffective.

Moreover, the measure poses a risk to the lives of police officers who must stand among fast-moving vehicles at busy junctions. Many drivers fail to notice officers managing traffic from a distance, especially at night, as the junctions are poorly lit. Another challenge faced by the police is staff shortage, with major junctions such as Vyttila requiring at least five officers to manage traffic.

Even though police personnel are currently deployed at all major junctions—including Kaloor, Judges Avenue, Pharmacy Junction, Vyttila, Kadavanthra, Edappally, and Palarivattom—the blocks have only worsened.

On August 27, the High Court issued a directive to switch off signal lights during peak hours—between 8.30 am and 10 am, and from 5 pm to 7.30 pm—so that police personnel could manage traffic directly. The single bench issued the directive to the Police Commissioner, considering the festive crowds in the city during Onam.

Earlier, the amicus curiae had informed the court about traffic issues on Banerjee Road up to Palarivattom and from Medical Trust Hospital to Vyttila along Sahodaran Ayyappan Road. The directive to switch off signals was issued when the amicus curiae highlighted that the green light duration was too short, slowing the movement of vehicles.

Even though a high-mast lamp has been installed at Kaloor Junction, illumination remains poor. Similarly, a lack of sufficient lighting at junctions such as Judges Avenue poses a major challenge. While risks are lower during the day, police personnel fear being struck by vehicles in the dark.

On September 8, the traffic enforcement sub-inspector (west) was injured when a two-wheeler knocked him down while he was controlling traffic at Pallimukku Junction. Authorities said poor lighting had caused the accident.

Although police officers wear reflector jackets while controlling traffic at junctions, drivers often fail to notice them from a distance. The situation frequently forces officers to stand in the middle of busy junctions in the dark to perform their duty.