Karkkidaka Vavu Bali: Traffic curbs in Kerala from today; restrictions in Aluva, TVM, Kollam

Traffic restrictions will come into force across Kerala from today in view of the Karkkidaka Vavu Bali rituals, with the police putting in place diversions and parking curbs to manage the expected rush. Authorities have urged devotees and motorists to cooperate with the arrangements to ensure smooth traffic movement. The restrictions will remain in force until the Bali Tharpanam rituals conclude. In other places, the police have also urged devotees to carry cash for receipts of the Bali Tharpanam rituals, parking and more. This is because network glitches could delay UPI transactions and lead to queues at ticket counters.

Green protocol should be followed
The ceremony will be held at various temples, beaches and ghats by strictly following the Green Protocol. Here's what you should know:
a) Disposable plastic items should be replaced with reusable eco-friendly things.
b) Suchitwa Mission urges the devotees to drop pooja materials, food waste and other waste materials in bins that are assigned for each item.
c) The food safety department advises against consuming packaged food items without proper labelling, including sweet treats, cotton candy and ice candy.
d) Complaints related to food and its quality could be registered at the toll-free number 1800 425 1125. All eateries should be registered under the FSSAI and should display the license.
e) Hotels and eateries should get medical fitness certificates for all the employees who handle food. The authorities have instructed the hotels to display the food safety toll-free number 1800 425 1125 at the cash counter.

Restrictions in Aluva
The authorities have imposed strict traffic restrictions in Aluva Town and nearby areas from 1 am to 2 pm on August 12. Here are the details:
• All the vehicles coming to Manappuram should turn at Seminaripadi to the GCDA Road and go to Manappuram via the Ayurveda Hospital. One-way traffic will be imposed here tomorrow.

• Vehicles from Manappuram reach Paravoor Kavala via Old Desom Road. The road has been made one–way here too.
• Traffic is banned from Thottakattukara Junction up to Manappuram.

• Buses from Varappuzha, Edayar sides should turn left at Thottakattukara Junction and deboard the passengers there before returning via Paravoor Junction, UC College and Kadungalloor.
• Private buses coming from Angamaly side should end their trip at the driving test ground near Paravoor Junction.

• Private buses arriving from Ernakulam to Aluva via the national highway should turn at Pulinchode Junction and reach the private bus stand via Karothukuzhi Junction. These buses should return via Bank Kavala and bypass.
• KSRTC buses coming from Ernakulam to Aluva should turn right at Pulinchode and reach the bus stand via Karothukuzhi Junction. These buses should return by taking a left at Karothukuzhi Junction.

• Buses from Aluva and Angamaly sides should turn at Karothukuzhi Junction to take the Bank Junction and bypass routes. Meanwhile, the buses towards Perumbavoor should turn right at the KSRTC stand and take the Pump Kavala route.
• KSRTC buses coming from the Perumbavoor side should reach the temporary bus stand in front of MG Town Hall via Pump Kavala. The buses should begin their return trips from here as well.

• Private buses from Perumbavoor should enter the bus stand via Railway Square and Karothukuzhi. Meanwhile, they should return via Karothukuzhi Junction, District Hospital and Power House Junction.
• Traffic is banned from Bank Junction to MG Town Hall Road. Besides, parking will not be allowed on the roadside, including the national highway.

Restrictions in Thiruvananthapuram
a) Traffic restrictions will be imposed from 10 pm tonight (August 11, Tuesday) to 2 pm on August 12 near Thiruvallam temple and bypass road.
b) Big goods vehicles coming from Vizhinjam to the Thiruvallam side should turn towards Balaramapuram at Vizhinjam Mukkola from 10 pm onwards.
c) Goods vehicles going towards Vizhinjam should turn at Enchakkal and take the Attakulangara – Killipalam – Pappanamkode route.
d) Vehicles from Karumam side to Thiruvallam temple junction should take the Thiruvallam LPS Junction and Pachalloor route.
e) Besides, vehicles going from Vandithadam side to Thiruvallam should turn at Pachalloor junction and take the Vazhamuttam – bypass road route.

f) Devotees arriving for Balitharpanam at Shankumugham should park their vehicles at the ground near the Air Force station curve side, Blailey Press Ground, ground close to the Tsunami Park as well as the Shankumugham Devi Temple ground.
g) Parking is not allowed on both sides of the road from the Domestic Terminal to the All Saints’ College.
h) Passengers going to the airport are urged to plan their journey keeping the traffic advisory in mind.

KSRTC special services
KSRTC will schedule additional bus services to various centres where Balitharpanam is held in Thiruvananthapuram. Special buses will be deployed to the six major Balitharpanam spots, including Shankymugham, Thiruvallam, Varakala, Aruvikkara, Aruvippuram and Kadinamkulam in the district.

Ten special buses have been arranged from Vellanad, Kattakada, Aryanad, Venjaramoodu and Palode depots under the Attingal unit, while four buses are scheduled from Nedumangad and Vithura depots that come under the Kaniyapuram unit. KSRTC has scheduled ten special buses from Vikas Bhavan, Peroorkada, Vizhinjam, Neyyattinkara and Parassala depots under the Thiruvananthapuram City unit. Besides, ten more buses from Kattakada, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Vellarada and Poovar depots under the Pappanamkode unit, as well as two buses from Kilimanoor depots, are arranged for the special services.

There will be special services from Thiruvananthapuram City, Pappanamkode, Vizhinjam, and Poovar depots to Thiruvallam, and also to Shankumugham from Pappanamkode, Peroorkada, Poovar, Vizhinjam, and Thiruvananthapuram City depots.

Services have been scheduled from Vikas Bhavan and Kaniyapuram depots to Veli as well as from Kaniyapuram and Attingal depots to Kadinamkulam. Besides, buses are also arranged from Nedumangad, Vellanad, and Peroorkada depots to Aruvikkara, and from Neyyatinkara, Parassala, and Vellarada depots to Aruvippuram.

KSRTC’s special bus services will be available from Kattakada and Vellarada depots to Maranalloor Aruvikkara Sree Dharmashastha temple as well as from Attingal, Venjaramoodu and Thiruvananthapuram Central depots to Varkala. Learn more, here.

Restrictions in Kollam
a) Private buses and KSRTC ordinary services will operate via Kollam Collectorate, Kangathumukku and Vellayittambalam.
b)Vehicles arriving from Chinnakkada will be allowed to drop off and pick up passengers only along the stretch from Sun Bay Auditorium at Kangathumukku to Nellimukku.

c) Those arriving from Chavara can drop off and pick up passengers from the northern side of the Mulankadakam temple gate up to the Mulankadakam school area. Parking will not be permitted along the stretch.
d) Traffic will also be regulated on the Thekke Kacheri-Mundalumoodu-Vellayittambalam route.

e) Two-wheelers, autorickshaws and other private vehicles should drop off passengers at the Thekke Kacheri and Vellayittambalam junctions and then park at designated locations as directed by the police. These include the grounds of St. Aloysius, Infant Jesus, Trinity Lyceum, Kollam Boys, Kollam Girls, Town UPS and Mulankadakam schools, as well as the Mulankadakam temple ground and Thankassery bus bay.

f) Two-wheelers will not be allowed towards Mundalumoodu-Thirumullavaram or on other roads where traffic restrictions are in force. Parking will also be prohibited along the National Highway and other major roads.
g) Heavy vehicles and, as far as possible, smaller vehicles travelling from Thiruvananthapuram towards Alappuzha should take the bypass after diverting at Mevaram. Vehicles travelling in the opposite direction should use the Kavanad bypass.
h) Residents of Thirumullavaram have been advised to use vehicles only for essential trips and take side roads wherever possible.