Much ado over No Parking

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A shoddy work would always result in more toils. This is the situation that the authorities of the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) and Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) are experiencing right now, for a work done without any foresight. The work of marking the ‘No Parking’ areas along the Vellayambalam- Sasthamangalam road has served the contrary purpose, with motorists continuing to park their vehicles along the road. At first, the authorities had drawn inclined lines to distinguish the ‘No Parking’ areas. But the lines, which resembled those usually found in parking areas, caused confusion among the motorists. Following this, the authorities wrote down in bold letters the words ‘No Parking’ in between the lines. However, the motorists chose to blatantly ignore this, which, of course, cannot be blamed on the authorities.  The authorities faced trouble again when they decided to correct their mistake. The lines had been drawn using a strong polymer called thermoplastic, which was, fortunately or unfortunately, impossible to erase.  Now, as a desperate method, they have initiated another work of drawing lines across the initial lines to make their intention clear.  This is where the next trouble awaits them. According to sources in TRDCL, normal white paint is being used to draw the lines crosscutting the initial lines drawn using thermoplastic. Now, we all know how long normal white paint can last under sun and rain. Thus, it is almost certain that the motorists will get their parking spaces back within a matter of time.  Meanwhile, the authorities have left not even an inch of space along the road for parking vehicles. Earlier, the act of the authorities in installing numerous sign boards shouting ‘No Parking’ along the road had invited the criticism of the people, following which they promised to remove the sign boards. City Express had also reported on the issue. But now, in sharp contrast to their promise, the authorities have decided to implement the law more strictly along the road.