Police to deploy more personnel to manage traffic surge as schools reopen

The police in Ernakulam district have planned extensive deployment arrangements to manage the expected surge in traffic and ensure the safety of students as schools reopen on Monday (June 1).

The police have identified 59 traffic congestion points where heavy traffic is expected, with hundreds of vehicles carrying students returning to the roads after the summer vacation.

Vyttila Junction, Edappally, Palarivattom, Vaduthala, Pachalam and both ends of the Goshree bridges are among the major bottlenecks identified by the police. “The locations were identified through station-wise surveys and based on previous experience. Around 700 police personnel will be deployed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to manage traffic,” District Police Chief (Kochi city) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said on Sunday (May 31).

Movement of tipper lorries will be restricted in the city during these hours. Personnel from traffic units, local police stations and the armed reserve camp will be deployed. Additional patrol teams will also be in action across the city. Squads will be assigned to detect drunken driving and driving under the influence of narcotic substances, the officer said. Volunteers will also be deployed on school premises to ensure pedestrian safety.

The arrangements were reviewed at a meeting attended by Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners on Sunday (May 31).

Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Rural Police have also drawn up deployment and surveillance plans focusing on school transport safety and traffic management. As part of the measures, awareness and training sessions were recently conducted for drivers and helpers of school buses operating under police stations in the Aluva subdivision.

Ernakulam Rural District Police Chief K.S. Sudarshan said school buses would undergo strict inspections to verify permits, fitness certificates and other mandatory documents. Strict action would be taken against drivers found operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants, he said.

The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) completed the annual fitness inspection of school buses last week as part of preparations for the new academic year.