Road safety and Kerala

By D.Dhanuraj

Ever since Malayalam cine actor Jagathi Srikumar met with an accident, media has turned their attention to the medians causing accidents. I must confess that the medians are one of the so many elements of road safety. It is nice to read such debates so to wish that the responsible departments would take it seriously. But what we need is a comprehensive framework for road safety and the auditing of road safety measures taken.

Many papers that deal with road safety in India mentions the increasing sales of motor vehicles as the reason for accidents and causalities. Though I agree with this argument at the theoretical level, I believe this is an apt example for poor side of policy making in this country. Most of the policy documents dealing with road safety either ignores or being oblivion of the elements of road safety.

Road safety includes design (architecture) of the road, safe and secure pedestrian side walks, street lights, pedestrian cross links, junction improvement, proper signals, removing poles that obstruct the smooth movement of pedestrians, straightening the sharp turns etc. Driving on Kerala roads, one must have noticed that pedestrians are hardly respected as there is hardly any space for them for a safe walk on the sides of the road. Most of the junctions lack free right or left turns that cause accidents at the junction mouths. We don't have the concept of detailing even the minutest attributes of a street when the roads are designed. I am not sure whether the department lacks the expertise or skills or they are least bothered about these finer aspects.

Road safety cannot be stand alone subject. It involves so many elements and they shall be addressed to ensure the safety for all the road users. Unfortunately, every one blames the speeding vehicles and the increased number of vehicles on the roads as the major reasons for the road accidents. If that is the case, accident rates would have been bigger in the developed countries. What we lack is the attributes for a developed infrastructure ensuring safety of street users. again, in India, the infrastructure means the big ticket projects like Metros and Fly overs etc. But if we look at the number of road accidents, none of these big ticket projects will have any profound influence in reducing the causalities.Rather, a better coordinated approach among the departments (I would rather suggest for a street development authority) for model streets with side walks, crossings, proper medians etc will save so many lives and GDP of the country.

Bypass road in Tripunithura and the urban ecosystem of heritage town

By D.Dhanuraj

it was a long cherished dream for the commuters from the eastern side of Cochin driving via Tripunithura to have a bypass road alleviating the traffic congestion in the temple city. If the congestion had been felt during the peak hours in the mid 90's, it turned out to be a nightmare for most part of the day in the recent years. so the opening up of Tripunithura mini bypass was a blessing for the commuters. Though the widening of the road is still under way, Tripunithura town has been devoid of any more traffic congestion since then.

Tripunithura town is one of the best study material for the royal township and architecture design. I am told that the reminiscent walls and the ancient buildings including the palace and the positioning of temple are great examples of how the King ensured protection for his citizenry from the intruders and how he kept himself within the fore walls and at the same time in touch with the Praja. Like in Travancore, the temple had significant role in Cochin royal family also and Sree Purnathressan was within the township established by the king of his settings. Some studies also show that the market activity and the leisure zones are designed in a traditional vaastu way that reflects and establishes the royal settings for the town.

I am born and brought up near to Tripunithura. in the last twenty years, I have seen the emergence of new shopping complexes and market activities. But unlike in other cities, they were not very forthcoming to the centre stage nor shaking the grounds while keeping the tradition and culture of the town in tandem. The town has four streets that completes the ecosystem of this ancient town even in 21st century. Nothing has been changed in terms of urban infrastructure except for a few flats and new municipality building. lack of pace with the the concept and idea of Tripunithura being the satellite town of Cochin has been the thorn in the bush for the city goers in this temple town for many decades.

Tripunithura bypass road has eased the traffic congestion within the township since its inauguration. It has diverted the traffic via the outskirts of the town. Though it has resulted in a huge relief for everyone, business community in the town is feeling pitch since then. it is reported that there is a decline in the business and many have already started contemplating shifting the location of business premises. Though it can be termed as a spontaneous order in the market activity, it has also an impact on the heritage and culture of this township.

I don't think any one is against the new bypass. But what has been the failure of the local administration and the planners is that they failed to changed street scape of the town with the advent of the bypass. Streets leading in three directions from Statue Junction (in front of Layam Ground) should have been converted as out door shopping malls and walking malls with improved pedestrian facilities and evening cafes. A temple town tour program could have been another attraction. while the traffic could have been on the outskirts, more business traffic could have been to the heritage locations of Tripunithura. One should not kill any heritage township by neglecting or ignoring the past. More than the monetary value, the culture and heritage helps to social upkeep and self sustenance. it is not too late for the revival of the township in a better way. The local administration should realise that if they business community relocate their activities, they are going to be sufferers at the economics of scale argument.

this a great opportunity and classic example for modernity meets with the culture and heritage of the past. while the modern infrastructure is required, we can incorporate the symbiotic relationship that includes everyone in the society equally honored and owned.

Lets revive the township....

Callousness in waste management by Municipalities in Kochi

It is nothing but the waste disposal and waste management issues that rake up in every day media stories in Kochi. there is nothing positive but mismanagement and callousness of the stake holders that fill the columns of the newspapers every day. Other day, I was shocked by the media report featuring Kalamassery Muncipal chairman statement on waste management. According to the reports he has stated that every one should process and settle the garbage in their own courtyards and Municipality cannot take the responsibility any more. I sense this as the common disease in the governance structure that requires immediate curing. I cannot appreciate this stand any more for the following reasons;

1. I wish the municipalities in Kochi area understand the floor area and land owning structures of each apartment and conventional houses. Many times, it is found that there is no room for waste disposal that leads to the throwing away the disposal in the open ground wherever sited. Municipality only has given the permission as per the plan and building rules. if any one has violated the building rules, they be found guilty and brought before the rule of law.

2. Hon. Kerala High Court has intervened in the waste management mechanism and suggested legal remedies. But what are the rules made by the respective municipalities? what are the plans they have to manage garbage disposal?

3. Issue here that no one recognizes the mandates for a local Government. Even the Municipal chairman thinks that 'a clean and healthy living environment' is not their duty to ensure with. If that is the case, why do we need a Government?

I believe that Municipality has definite role in city management. They can't escape from their responsibilities. Waste management may not be or not ought to be a responsibility of a municipality but they have the responsibility of ensuring a livable environment. if they believe in the rule of law to ensure calm and peace in the neighborhood, same is the case with the healthy environment to be ensured. it is a legal entitlement citizen enjoys in a democratic country.

Instead of disowning from the issue, Municipality has to come up with the stringent guidelines for waste management system for outsourcing it to the best player in the field.From the past, it is proved that no Municipality or Corporation has got the requisite expertise to handle the waste management and processing plants. Instead, they should concentrate on regulating and monitoring of the procuring agencies into the business. Municipality can easily photograph the waste disposal by private agencies and post them on their websites and FaceBook pages. GPS can be utilized to test the efficiency level of the agency than getting into political debates in the council hall.