Kerala - Kozhikode

New lessons in traffic management

Kozhikode: The Kozhikode city police in association with the Kozhikode Area Resources Mobilisation Agents (Karma) have decided to strengthen the functioning of the existing traffic clubs in schools. An official inauguration of the traffic warden system will be held on October 29, said Anup Kuruvilla John, City Police Commissioner, Kozhikode City.

Around 500 students selected from 20-odd schools in the city have been trained for the purpose. They will man the traffic in front of their schools in the city during peak hours in the morning and evening. Special jackets will also be provided to them, the commissioner said.

A traffic police will assist the young wardens at each junction. Traffic blocks experienced in the city are in front of the Model High School, Zamorin’s High School, BEM School, Providence Higher Secondary School and Malabar Christian College Higher Secondary School.

Mr. John said the system would not only help in clearing traffic snarls in front of schools but also instil a sense of discipline among various road users. The traffic wardens would also ensure that the private buses halted at bus stops. Besides, they would check rash and speeding of bus drivers, he said.

Karma executive director C. Janardhan said the system would inculcate traffic culture among the students. The practical training imparted to the wardens would clear the congestions in different parts of the city to a great extent.

Traffic clubs have been constituted in schools over a decade.

Initially, it has been able to launch schemes with the cooperation of Principals and Headmistress of high schools by organising contest for students and teaching them on traffic awareness. Karma, a non-governmental organisation, and National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) have been associating with these programmes.

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