Thiruvananthapuram: A key junction on the national highway at Alamcode has effectively turned into an unregulated intersection for over four months, raising serious road safety concerns in one of the busiest corridors in the region. Traffic signals at two points within a 20-meter stretch, regulating movement towards Kadakkavoor and Kilimanoor Road, have remained non-functional, resulting in vehicles crossing simultaneously without coordination.
Critical Convergence Point for Heavy Traffic
The junction connects the Attingal-Kallambalam stretch with Mananak Road and Kilimanoor Road, making it a critical convergence point for heavy traffic. Hundreds of trucks pass through the junction daily, adding to congestion and increasing the risk of accidents, especially during peak hours. Earlier, signal systems ensured staggered movement of vehicles from different directions. With the system defunct, motorists now navigate the junction at will, often leading to confusion, near-misses and frequent traffic snarls.
Commuters Demand Immediate Action
According to locals and commuters, minor accidents and disputes have become common in recent months. Despite repeated complaints to the police, national highway authorities and municipal officials, no immediate steps have been taken either to repair the signals or deploy personnel for traffic control. Attingal municipality pointed out that the civic body has taken up the issue with the agency concerned. A municipality official stated, "We are aware that the traffic signals at Alamcode junction have not been functioning for the past few months. The maintenance of these signals comes under Keltron, and the issue has already been brought to their attention. We have formally requested them to carry out the necessary repairs at the earliest. Since this is a busy stretch with several heavy vehicles passing daily, the situation requires urgent intervention. We will continue the follow up to ensure that the issue is resolved without further delay."
Keltron Responds
Meanwhile, an official at Keltron said the matter has been taken note of. "We will look into the issue and take necessary action at the earliest," the official said. The prolonged malfunction has led to growing frustration among daily commuters who fear a major accident could occur at any time. The lack of traffic signals has also caused frequent disputes between drivers, further adding to the chaos. Local residents have urged authorities to prioritize the repair of the signals or deploy temporary traffic management measures to ensure safety until the signals are fixed.
