Mangaluru: Concerns were expressed during the weekly phone-in programme on Friday about the parking of vehicles on the road connecting Mangaluru Central and Hampankatta.

A caller told Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh that despite widening the road motorists are facing problem as vehicles are parked all along the stretch. This was hampering the free flow of traffic, he said.

Mr. Suresh concurred with the caller and said that he saw it first-hand when he visited the area on Thursday.

“Vehicles are parked even in the night. Doctors coming to Wenlock Hospital are facing problem,” he said.

Mr. Suresh directed Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manjunath Shetty to take steps to prevent parking of vehicles on the road.

A caller from Jeppu said though a footpath was laid between Valencia and Father Muller Hospital it was being used by street vendors.

He said it was the same on the stretch between Nantoor Junction and Bikarnakatte Junction.

Mr. Suresh said that the police will take steps to free the pavement on the stretch between Valencia and the hospital after the Mangaluru City Corporation completes the work.

A caller from Baikampady complained that while city buses pick up passengers at Swati Petrol bunk bus stop they were dropping commuters far away from the stop.

A representative of city bus operators said they did so to avoid collision with heavy vehicles that take a turn near the bus stop. Mr. Suresh directed traffic police officers to take action for shifting the bus stop.

When a caller pointed to the problem caused to motorists because of checking of vehicles by police at regular intervals in Surathkal, Mr. Suresh said this was being done in light of chain-snatching incidents reported in the area.

A caller from Malemar pointed to hindrance to movement of traffic because of haphazard parking of vehicles near Hanuman Agencies on Malemar Road. Another caller said of problem to motorists from barricades placed near Kankanady flower market. A caller from Faizal Nagar demanded installation of speed breakers on the newly widended road in the area.