Ernakulam: Unscientifically marked zebra crossings at Pallimukku Junction in Kochi have triggered widespread resentment among motorists, with many being fined for stopping over the markings despite slowing down in response to the traffic signal.

Several vehicles are being penalised as they are forced to halt on the zebra crossings when the signal turns red. Estimates suggest that at least four vehicles are fined every three minutes at the junction. The poorly placed zebra lines are on the approach roads from Ravipuram and Kadavanthra.

Regular commuters allege that the markings have been deliberately placed at an inconvenient location to boost fine collections. Typically, a stop line is marked close to the traffic signal, followed by the zebra crossing. However, at Pallimukku Junction, the zebra lines have been painted nearly 15 metres ahead of the traffic lights.

The junction frequently witnesses heavy traffic, with long queues of vehicles moving slowly. Motorists proceed when the signal turns green but often get stranded on the zebra lines when it suddenly turns red.

Despite Pallimukku being a major junction, authorities have failed to install a countdown timer along with the signal, which could have helped drivers regulate their speed and avoid violations. At present, police personnel stationed at the junction photograph vehicles stopping on the zebra lines and impose petty fines.

Motorists also point out that the zebra lines at Pallimukku Junction do not serve their real purpose- of enabling pedestrians to cross the road safely. This is because the zebra lines on the road from Ravipuram end at a large transformer, and not on the footpath. Consequently, pedestrians using the zebra lines cannot reach the footpath on the other side of the road.

"Nobody has an idea on how the zebra lines came to be marked in an unscientific manner at Pallimukku Junction. Police officers started clicking photos from near the zebra crossing only recently," said a regular traveller. "The police arrive on most days and will be stationed near the zebra lines during the peak hours," the traveller added.

Dr Mammen Alexander, orthopaedic surgeon at Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital, said that he had received a notice for a fine after being forced to stop his car over the zebra line. "There are high chances for vehicles to stop on the zebra lines if they slow down on seeing the signal turning red. Moreover, many drivers cannot see the zebra lines due to the heavy traffic. The authorities should take note of these facts and take immediate corrective measures," he said.

Another motorist, Netto Thengumpally, has filed a complaint with the Assistant Commissioner, Kochi City Traffic West, after he received two notices for the same traffic violation. Netto said that he was served two e-challans – the first for his car crossing the zebra line during a red signal in Kaloor at 10.02 am on December 31 last year and the other for a similar violation at Kacheripady at 12.51 pm the same day.

However, both the challans had the same photo of his car, said Netto in his complaint. Moreover, Netto pointed out that he was watching a movie at Central Square Mall at the time displayed in the second challan and submitted the receipt of the parking fee paid at the mall for his car along with the complaint to the police as evidence.