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“The citizens of Mangaluru are quite disciplined in following traffic rules including maintaining parking sense and wearing helmets”, says K Ravishankar, DCP, Mangaluru
Welcome to Mangaluru, a city distinguished for its grand panoramic spectacular which is now on the cusp of being a smart city. Mangaluru’s street carry more than just vehicles, but is a bustling heart for dreams and aspirations of its people. But like every thriving city, it has its own challenges.
The DCP has offered a proposal for automatic and synchronized signals at traffic laden junctions like Jyothi and Nanthoor. Upon the approval of which there shall be a smooth flow of vehicles where drivers no longer have to fumble to guess the timing of traffic lights. Ravishankar says, “Although the integration of artificial intelligence and high-resolution cameras is still in the pipeline, once the system goes live, it will revolutionize traffic enforcement. These silent sentinels will keep an eye on every vehicle, issue fines automatically for every violation by directly communicating with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and instantly alert the vehicle owners.”
Road of Challenges
According to the DCP, the streets of Mangaluru tells a tale of both progress and struggle. The traffic control department is not blind to challenges like narrow lanes, lack of bus bays and the constant dance of construction projects from various departments.
He puts forward the challenge of manual traffic control at some junctions, where officers battle the scorching sun to manage the tides of vehicles. The plea for well-engineered junctions are loud and clear and the request has been put forth to the National Highway Authority .
Says Ravishankar, “The number of accidents on the road continues to rise with 3-4 accidents being reported daily. The alarming part is that a staggering 80% of these accidents involve pedestrians or two wheelers.”
Mangaluru is more than just its roads and traffic. It’s the people who fill its streets with life and purpose. After all, a city’s progress isn’t just measured by how fast its traffic moves, but how safely and smoothly do its people get back home!
– Rashmi R D
He complains that pedestrians in their hurry, often cross roads at wrong spots, leaving drivers with no time to react. The solution? Medians on dividers to restrict pedestrian movement and rumble strips to alert drivers to upcoming junctions. Other suggestions by the DCP include more visible road markings, speed breakers, signboards and solar blinkers to guide vehicles safely.
He adds on by saying, “Two-wheeler riders though vigilant in wearing helmets, often ignore securing the straps or use non-ISI marked helmets bearing the severe injuries or even fatalities. The call for stricter enforcement of safety measures is louder, as helmets are the first line of defence on Mangaluru’s busy streets.”
Parking violations are a rare sight in Mangaluru as there are dedicated parking lots built at key locations like bus stands and railway stations. However, during weekends, street festivals and any major events, the city faces a massive reserved parking crunch.
According to Ravishankar, the people of Mangaluru have always been disciplined when it comes to following traffic rules. But I urge everyone to be proactive. In case of any accidents, one has to call 112 because this call not only summons the police but will also dispatch an ambulance to the scene for saving precious lives.