Thiruvananthapuram: A clash broke out between KSRTC and private bus workers on Monday over traffic reforms implemented at Kizhakkekota to ease congestion. In protest against the arrest of private bus employees, private bus services were suspended.

KSRTC stated that additional services were introduced from Monday afternoon to minimize the inconvenience to commuters caused by the strike. Meanwhile, the Fort Police have filed a case against private bus employees for encroaching on the bus bay reserved exclusively for KSRTC buses.

The protest, demanding arrangements for picking up passengers at Kizhakkekota, led to the tension. The situation was defused once the protesting private employees were arrested and removed

The traffic reform was implemented based on the High Court’s order to make arrangements for resolving the traffic congestion at Kizhakkekota and for pedestrians to cross the road safely.

A separate space was arranged at Attakulangara for parking private buses after completing their service. Private buses were instructed to launch services from a point near the Vettimuricha Kotta. The directive was to begin services after stopping there for three minutes to pick up passengers.

Kizhakkekota previously had two bus bays, both of which became accessible to KSRTC after private buses were shifted closer to the Fort. The protest escalated when a barricade was placed on the road recently prior to implementing the traffic reform.

The situation further intensified when, around 8.30 AM, a private bus entered a bay reserved exclusively for KSRTC. Based on a complaint lodged by KSRTC, the Fort Police took the bus into custody. Following this, private buses suspended services and workers mobilised in protest. They demanded that private buses also be allowed to stop and pick up passengers at Kizhakkekota.

Tensions escalated when KSRTC authorities rejected the demand, leading to heated arguments. The situation nearly turned into a brawl, prompting the police to arrest private bus employees. The traffic reform, directed by the Kerala High Court, was devised at a meeting attended by the Collector, Transport Commissioner, and RTO.

KSRTC Authorities’ Stand
KSRTC officials stated that the 75 cents of land on which the bus stand operates belongs to KSRTC. The barricade was erected after careful measurement and demarcation of the land. KSRTC pays taxes for the land. They pointed out that the primary cause of traffic congestion at Kizhakkekota is buses violating the queue system, as buses often jump the queue instead of operating one after another. This, in turn, leads to traffic snarls and accidents. The High Court’s directive to resolve the traffic issues at Kizhakkekota, they emphasised, must be implemented without compromise.

Private bus employees, on the other hand, say that there are two zebra crossings in the stretch between Pazhavangadi and Gandhi Nagar. The barricade has been placed blocking one of these crossings. This endangers the safety of pedestrians. Students without travel concessions mostly rely on private buses. Private buses should be allowed to stop at Kizhakkekota to ensure students reach schools and colleges on time. Passengers will not board private buses at Attakulangara. Services will not be resumed unless the demands are met.

Discussion to be held
The grievances over the implementation of the traffic reform will be discussed once again with the Collector. The reform was implemented based on the High Court’s order, said  V S Ajithkumar, Enforcement RTO

Build three-foot overbridges, says High Court
The High Court has already directed that three foot overbridges complete with escalators be constructed at Kizhakkekota. These are to be built, providing access to the Attakulangara area, from the KSRTC depot to Gandhi Nagar and in front of the Pazhavangady Ganapathy Temple.

Handrails should be provided for pedestrian safety. Street vendors should be rehabilitated. Bus bays and fully lit bus waiting shelters should be set up. Bus schedules should be prepared with the help of digital technology

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basanth Balaji has ordered the implementation of short-term and long-term measures to make Kizhakkekota accident-free.