Sharp u-turn from traffic norms

While travelling through the stretch between Vyttila and Palarivattom bypass junction, you may struggle to spot the U-Turns. The shrubs and bushes that have grown up to nearly five feet height in the median are blocking the line of sights of the drivers in this busy stretch. Since the last six months, the authorities have not taken any step to clean the median.

Recently, the volunteers of the youth movement ‘Samanvaya’ planted some saplings in the available space at the median. They also cleaned the area where the saplings were planted. Though they are taking care of the saplings, the volunteers say that it was difficult for them to clean the entire stretch.

“We planted the trees as part of our organisation’s social responsibility. These saplings are not the reasons for blocking the sight. The trees are planted within a stipulated distance in between each of them,” said I S Saneesh, Samanvaya secretary.

It is the responsibility of the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) to clean the stretch. The norms also clearly state that no shrubs that block the sight of the driver should be planted at the median.

Saneesh still hopes that the NHAI will spare the saplings and trees if they play to carry out a cleanliness drive on the median. “We want to protect the trees. We are taking good care of the trees and are watering it regularly. It is time the thickets are cleared. But our request is to spare the saplings that are not blocking the view,” he said.

He also said that proper traffic lights should be installed and sign boards should be placed at the U-turns.