DC Orders Immediate Action for Smooth Traffic Flow at Junctions and Circles

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Mangaluru : Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. has directed the local urban bodies and the police department to conduct joint inspections and implement immediate measures to ensure smooth traffic flow at various junctions and circles across Mangaluru city and the district. Speaking while chairing the District Road Safety Committee meeting held at the DC office on Tuesday, he noted that the public has raised numerous complaints regarding parking issues, encroachments, and street vending that obstruct vehicular movement at major junctions, circles, and arterial roads. Despite previous traffic management efforts, disruptions persist, prompting the DC to order coordinated action involving local municipal bodies, the RTO, and the police department.

Providing an update from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Project Director Abdullah Javed Azmi stated that multiple traffic regulation measures have been deployed at key junctions along the national highway from Haleyangadi to Talapady. These initiatives include the installation of traffic signals, zebra markings, speed governors, and the closure of several hazardous divider crossings that were prone to road accidents. Additionally, infrastructure works are actively progressing, including the underpass construction to facilitate entry into the Baikampady Industrial Area from the national highway, alongside the widening of Nanthoor Junction and the development of a service road connecting KPT to Nanthoor. Meanwhile, committee members urged prompt action to clear illegal highway encroachments by vendors at Kallapu, Jeppinamogaru, and Thokkottu junctions.

Addressing the persistent issue of wastewater spillage and foul odor from fish-transporting trucks, traffic police officials informed the meeting that discussions have been held with fish factory owners and entrepreneurs. To mitigate the problem, entrepreneurs suggested constructing septic tanks at Talapady and Mulki—similar to the system currently implemented at various intervals along the national highway in Kerala—where waste liquids can be safely discharged rather than leaking onto public roads. On urban planning, the DC directed traffic police and the city corporation to swiftly review a scientific redesign map for the State Bank Hamilton Circle, which was compiled and submitted to the City Corporation by experts from NITK.

The meeting also highlighted significant progress on public transport infrastructure, with the DC directing the City Corporation and KSRTC officials to expedite the development of the designated 7-acre transit land at Pumpwell without further delay. According to the plan, 2 acres will be allocated to KSRTC and the remaining 5 acres will be utilized to construct a private bus stand to streamline the city’s transport network. Furthermore, Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Ravichandra Nayak clarified that continuous eviction drives against illegal street vendors are being conducted in Hampankatta, State Bank, and Central Market areas, emphasizing that only vendors possessing valid MCC identity cards are permitted to operate. Traffic police officials added that the newly constructed bus stand at Mangaladevi is poised to operationalize soon following successful discussions with local bus operators.

Expressing concern over road safety, District Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K. stated that the police department has submitted a detailed report identifying major accident-prone zones to the National Highway Authority and the Public Works Department, demanding immediate intervention to control traffic hazards. Highlighting enforcement statistics from 2025 to April 30, 2026, the committee revealed that massive drives resulted in booking 1,855 cases of drunk driving, 99 cases of overloading school vehicles, 12 tinted glass violations, 201 cases of shrill horns, and 184 cases of overloading cargo trucks. Crucially, in response to 433 fatal accident cases reported in the district since 2025, authorities have officially suspended 384 driving licenses. The high-level meeting was attended by Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner Meenakshi Arya, PWD Executive Engineer Raghavendra Naik, and traffic police inspectors from the Mangaluru city limits.