Thiruvananthapuram: The proposal to convert the busy Palace Road in Attingal town into a full-time one-way stretch remains stalled, even as traffic congestion continues to worsen and several accidents have been reported along the corridor in recent months.Officials from the motor vehicles department said at least six accidents, including two critical cases, have occurred on the stretch. The road connects key junctions in the town centre and carries heavy vehicular traffic, particularly during peak hours. The traffic reform proposal was taken up by the transport reform committee last year following directions from the district collector after residents and commuters raised concerns over persistent congestion and safety risks. The committee, comprising officials from the police, the Motor Vehicles Department and other departments, had recommended converting Palace Road into a one-way stretch along with stricter parking regulations. As part of the proposed reform, authorities had also prepared traffic signboards indicating one-way movement, no-parking zones and pedestrian crossing points. However, the measures have not yet been implemented. MVD officials said the proposed changes were aimed at easing traffic congestion in the town centre and improving road safety. According to an RTO official, the reform will be implemented only after a direction is issued by local elected representatives. Attingal municipality chairperson M Pradeep said the civic body had decided to introduce the full-time one-way system only after the completion of the underpass being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at Ramachamvila. “At present, Palace Road operates under a limited one-way system between 8am and 10am. during the morning rush hours. A full-time one-way regulation will be introduced once the NHAI underpass at Ramachamvila is completed,” Pradeep said. He added that implementing the reform immediately could affect private bus services operating through the town. “If the road is made fully one-way now, private buses may have to take a longer diversion through the Chirayinkeezhu–Attingal road, which could disrupt their trip schedules. Considering this, the municipality decided to wait until the underpass project is completed,” he said.
