Just two days after the Trichy district administration imposed a ban on the entry of trucks at the busy Palpannai junction to relieve chronic traffic congestion, the restriction appears to be crumbling. On Friday, heavy vehicles were once again spotted navigating the crucial intersection, raising questions about the enforcement of the new rule.
Ban Order and Its Immediate Impact
The administration's order, which came into effect on January 1, prohibited the entry of heavy vehicles at the Palpannai junction between 7 am and 9 pm. The directive also required point-to-point buses and bypass rider buses to use the semi-ring road from Thuvakudi to reach Panjapur KKBT. The junction, situated at the intersection of the Trichy-Chennai and Trichy-Thanjavur National Highways, is a notorious bottleneck.
While initial reports suggested some respite in traffic flow, residents of Thiruverumbur quickly noted that the ban was not being fully observed. They reported that heavy vehicles continued to access the junction, particularly during peak hours, undermining the order's intended purpose.
Practical Hurdles in Enforcement
Police officials acknowledged significant practical challenges in implementing a blanket ban. A key issue is differentiating between vehicles. While trucks merely passing through Trichy to other districts can be diverted, many heavy vehicles have legitimate destinations within the city limits but located just before the Palpannai junction.
"Trucks carrying construction materials to other districts via Palpannai can be diverted, but there are heavy vehicles visiting areas within the city but located before Palpannai junction. They are asking for relaxation. We will discuss the issue and resolve it," explained a police officer. The force also cited being preoccupied with the Srirangam festival and the Chief Minister's visit to Trichy over the past two days, which stretched their resources thin.
Residents and Experts Demand Strict Action
Local residents have a specific grievance. They argue that heavy vehicles entering the Gandhi market area for loading and unloading via the Palpannai junction must be completely stopped during peak hours and permitted only at night. This, they believe, would bring substantial relief.
Echoing the public sentiment, Shivasankar Sekaran, a member of the district road safety council, emphasized the need for rigorous enforcement. "While there was some respite, enforcement must be very strict, else the purpose of the ban will not be achieved," he stated. The consensus is clear: without consistent and firm action from authorities, the traffic ban at Palpannai junction risks becoming another well-intentioned but ineffective measure.
The situation remains in flux as police promise to review the practical difficulties and find a resolution. The coming days will be a test of the administration's commitment to decongesting one of Trichy's most critical traffic points.
