HC Orders Measures to Decongest East Fort Area in Capital

quick Summary

• The Kerala High Court directed the State government and Transport Commissioner too implement measures for decongesting Thiruvananthapuram’s East Fort area and enhancing pedestrian safety.
• The court’s directives include:

– Repairing or replacing damaged footpath tiles and installing signages within four months.- Erection of pedestrian guard rails in six months.
– Initiation of two additional foot overbridges construction processes within two months.

• Long-term directives include relocating the bus stand and removing encroachments from the area.
• A PIL had also requested the installation of three escalator-equipped foot overbridges as proposed by NATPAC and TRDCL,widening roads by acquiring land near the bus stand,and continuous pedestrian guard rails with regulated openings.
• Recommendations submitted by the Transport Commissioner included improvements like bus bays, pedestrian lines, better lighting at waiting areas, signages, and fines for double parking violations.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The Kerala High Court’s intervention reflects growing concern about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety in urban areas like Thiruvananthapuram’s East Fort-a critical transit hub used widely by commuters daily. Its detailed timelines for necessary actions showcase a commitment to both short-term relief (safe pathways) and long-term infrastructure overhaul (bus stand relocation).

The inclusion of proposals such as escalator-enabled foot overbridges positions this initiative as forward-looking while addressing immediate accessibility concerns for pedestrians across age groups. However,practical challenges such as land acquisition for road widening could prove contentious due to local resistance or funding constraints.

For public stakeholders in Kerala’s capital city heavily reliant on this node, speedy implementation could set a benchmark in managing rising urban mobility issues across India.

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