T’puram: With Onam shopping and celebrations expected to put additional pressure on city roads, traffic police have drawn up an elaborate plan involving parking restrictions, designated parking grounds and route diversions to keep traffic moving.The measures came into force on Monday and will be on till Aug 30, with traffic regulation to be implemented from 2pm to midnight depending on the volume of vehicles. The main road from Kowdiar to Attakulangara and roads near venues hosting Onam programmes are expected to witness heavy traffic.The preparations come amid growing congestion at several junctions. Uppidamoodu bridge witnessed a major traffic pile-up recently, with vehicles forming a long queue towards Vanchiyoor and Ambalamukku. Additional personnel from Vanchiyoor police station had to be deployed to restore traffic movement.East Fort, Overbridge, Ayurveda College, Statue and Palayam are among the stretches that regularly come under pressure during peak hours. The Palayam-East Fort corridor has witnessed heavy congestion in recent days, while traffic movement on the NH bypass has also slowed.Parking is expected to be one of the biggest challenges. Police have prohibited parking on major and interior roads except at designated locations. Vehicles parked illegally or in a manner that obstructs traffic will be removed using recovery vehicles and action will be taken against the owners.Authorities have identified several parking facilities, including the water authority compound at Vellayambalam, Observatory Hills, corporation office multi-level parking, Arts College grounds, University College grounds, Women’s College grounds, Music College grounds and multiple parking facilities in Thampanoor.People arriving from Kattakada, Malayinkeezhu and Thirumala have been directed to designated school grounds, while motorists from Nedumangad can use parking facilities at Vattiyoorkavu. Those arriving from Neyyattinkara, nearby areas and Thiruvallam have also been given designated parking options.Police have also prepared diversions around Vellayambalam, Museum, PMG and Palayam. Alternative routes have been specified for KSRTC and other vehicles travelling between Palayam, Kowdiar, East Fort, Thampanoor and surrounding areas.The advisory also asks motorists heading towards the railway station, airport and other destinations to plan their journeys in advance and avoid the Vellayambalam-Museum-PMG-Palayam corridor when congestion builds up.With traffic expected to intensify as Onam approaches, officials have urged motorists to follow parking and diversion instructions to prevent bottlenecks from spreading to adjoining roads.
