DC directs immediate measures for smooth traffic at junctions, circles

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada DC Darshan HV has directed urban local bodies and the police department to jointly inspect major junctions and traffic circles across the district and take immediate measures to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

Chairing the district road safety committee meeting on Tuesday, he said complaints regarding traffic congestion caused by illegal parking, encroachments and street vending continue to be received from the public. He instructed urban local bodies, RTO and police department to conduct joint inspections and implement corrective measures.

NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said several measures have been taken to improve traffic flow between Haleangadi and Talapady on NH-66, including the closure of median openings that were contributing to accidents. He said construction of an underpass connecting the national highway to the Baikampady Industrial Area is in progress, while widening of Nanthoor Junction and construction of a service road from KPT to Nanthoor are also on.

Committee members urged authorities to remove highway encroachments by traders at Kallapu, Jeppinamogaru and Thokkottu junctions.

Traffic police officials informed the meeting that complaints continue regarding foul smell and inconvenience caused by wastewater leaking from fish-laden trucks. They said industry representatives have suggested constructing septic tanks at Talapady and Mulki, similar to facilities available along highways in Kerala, to prevent wastewater from being discharged onto roads.

The DC also directed officials to examine the NITK report on the scientific redesign of the State Bank-Hamilton Circle and asked the Mangaluru City Corporation to act on the proposal without delay. On the proposed Pumpwell bus stand, the DC said work should be expedited on the seven-acre site earmarked for the project, with two acres allotted to KSRTC and the remaining five acres for a private bus stand. He directed officials of the corporation and KSRTC to take necessary action at the earliest.

MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said drives against footpath encroachments by street vendors are being conducted regularly in Hampankatta, State Bank and Central Market areas. Only vendors possessing corporation-issued identity cards will be permitted to operate, he said.

Traffic police officials said discussions have been held with bus operators on shifting services to the newly constructed bus stand at Mangaladevi, which is expected to become operational soon. SP Dr Arun K said the police department has already submitted reports to the NHAI and PWD identifying accident-prone locations and called for immediate remedial measures.

384 licences suspended

Joint enforcement drives by the police and RTO between 2025 and April 30, 2026, resulted in 1,855 drunken driving cases, 99 cases of overcrowding in school vehicles, 12 cases involving tinted glass, 201 cases related to shrill horns, and 184 cases of overloading. During the same period, Dakshina Kannada recorded 433 fatal road accidents. Authorities have suspended 384 driving licences.