From confusion to calm

KOCHI: Confusion and traffic congestion prevailed in the early hours of Monday at Vyttila Junction when all long-distance private and KSRTC buses entered the mobility hub.The confusion was partly because many passengers had no idea where to go when they reached the hub and some commuters were not aware that the stop had been shifted to the hub. Ramesh Kumar, a passenger, said, “I have come from Kumbalam and I didn’t know that I  had to go to  the hub to get a bus to Tripunithura. I was waiting at the stop for a long time  with others when a police told us that the stop had been shifted to the hub.”Some passengers complained that they had to pay extra fare because of the change in the routes. Confusion also arose when KSRTC buses started plying via the hub in the morning. Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer T J Thomas said, “There was a slight confusion but by afternoon the entire system was in control. Traffic signals were regulated to prevent the rush.”  The mobility hub authorities said the feedback was positive and that everything went smooth after the initial confusion. Traffic was chaotic early in the morning at Vyttila Junction as the smaller vehicles to be diverted on the Vyttila bypass were not directed as planned. The RTO said, “We had taken precautions and expected two and three wheelers to use the byroads such as  Thykoodam-Kathala Road to the NH bypass so that the buses could ply smoothly, but  there were no sign boards to direct people. We have brought the issue up to the notice of the Corporation and the National Highways authorities. Once the police were deployed, everything returned to normal.”According to the regulations, all long-distance limited-stop private buses, KSRTC fast passenger and super-fast buses started operating from the hub.“The Guruvayur buses were stationed at the hub. The buses plying from Kottayam and Tripunithura stop at the Ernakulam depot and would enter the hub only on their return trip.    Mobility hub officials said, “Since the entrance is not proper, we are keeping a few buses off.”So private buses from Vaikom, Cherthala, Muvattapuzha, Perumbavoor and Kodungalloor are not entering the mobility hub and would continue to stop at the private bus stand in Kaloor.Where’s the Bay?Meanwhile, KSRTC union members came out strongly against the mobility hub officials for not keeping their promise to allot bays.S Salim said, “If we have been ordered to ply through the area, we are supposed to get bays to park the vehicles. Even today,  there was a lot of confusion for passengers because some private buses stopped between our buses. The issue has to be solved or else it would lead to utter chaos.” The issue was discussed with M Beena, Managing Director of the mobility hub, at a meeting.  She said, “We have taken the decision to provide six bays for KSRTC buses. But we have also made it mandatory that KSRTC should take up the responsibility of putting up the sign boards to indicate they are theirs.”