Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 10: Dakshina Kannada (DK) deputy commissioner (DC) Darshan H V has directed local urban bodies and the police department to jointly inspect and take immediate measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic at various junctions and circles across the city and district.

The DC issued these instructions while chairing the district road safety committee meeting held at his office on June 9.

He noted that the administration has received numerous complaints from the public regarding traffic congestion caused by unauthorized parking, encroachments, and street vending at key junctions, circles, and main roads. "Despite implementing traffic control measures, vehicle movement continues to be hindered. Therefore, urban local bodies, the RTO, and the police department must conduct joint inspections and establish systems for smooth traffic flow," the DC stated.

Abdullah Javed Azmi, project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), informed the committee that several measures have been taken to regulate traffic at major junctions and circles on the national highway stretch from Haleyangadi to Talapady. These include the installation of traffic signals, zebra crossings, and speed breakers to facilitate smooth vehicular and pedestrian movement. He added that several dangerous divider crossings, which were frequent accident spots, have been closed.

Azmi also stated that the construction of an underpass to access the Baikampady industrial area from the national highway is currently underway. Furthermore, the widening of the Nanthoor junction is progressing, along with the construction of a service road from KPT to Nanthoor.

Committee members strongly urged officials to take strict action to clear highway encroachments and illegal street vendors at the Kallapu, Jeppinamogaru, and Thokkottu junctions.

Addressing the persistent issue of foul-smelling wastewater leaking from fish lorries onto city roads, traffic police officials informed the DC that a meeting was recently held with fish factory owners and entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurs pointed out that septic tanks have been constructed at various points along the national highway in Kerala to dispose of fish lorry wastewater safely. They suggested that if similar septic tanks are built in Talapady and Mulki, the lorries could discharge the wastewater there, effectively preventing leakage onto the roads. The traffic police requested the district administration to look into this proposal.

The DC instructed traffic police officials to review a map and report submitted by NITK to the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) regarding the scientific redesign of the State Bank Hamilton Circle.

Regarding the long-pending Pumpwell bus stand project, the DC directed officials to expedite the process. Out of the 7 acres reserved for the project, 2 acres are to be allotted to the KSRTC, while the remaining 5 acres will be used for a private bus stand. He ordered MCC and KSRTC officials to take immediate action on this crucial project aimed at decongesting Mangaluru's traffic.

MCC commissioner Ravichandra Naik stated that the corporation is conducting continuous operations to clear footpaths encroached upon by street vendors in the Hampankatta, State Bank, and Central Market areas. He clarified that only vendors possessing valid MCC ID cards are permitted to operate.

Traffic police officials informed the meeting that discussions have been held with bus owners regarding the commencement of operations from the newly constructed bus stand in Mangaladevi. They assured that all buses in that route will start operating from the new stand shortly.

Superintendent of police (SP) Dr Arun K emphasized the need for immediate action at major accident blackspots identified by the police and reported to the NHAI and PWD.

Officials provided data on enforcement drives conducted jointly by the police and RTO between 2025 and April 30, 2026. A total of 1,855 cases of drunk driving, 99 cases of overloading school vehicles, 12 cases of tinted glass, 201 cases of shrill horns, and 184 cases of overloaded goods vehicles were booked, and fines were collected.

Furthermore, officials reported that 433 fatal accidents occurred in the district since 2025. In connection with these incidents, 384 driving licenses have been suspended.

The meeting was attended by Mangaluru sub-divisional officer Meenakshi Arya, PWD executive engineer Raghavendra Naik, and traffic police inspectors from the Mangaluru city limits.