Traffic snarls hurt trade along Kothuval Street

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leaders of Kothuval bazaar unit of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi have called for an immediate intervention of the top officers of the City Traffic Police to resolve the traffic issue that has been crippling the business prospects of the trading community of Kothuval Street, known for both wholesale and retail business, including disposable materials, spices and stationery.Samithi leaders Kalady Aji and Mohammed Sidheek said that Kothuval Street, which houses more than a hundred shops, was suffering as the lorries and autorickshaws were indiscriminately parked in the middle of the street, thereby blocking the vehicles and customers from entering the market.According to the office-bearers of the Samithi, national permit carriers which return through the street after unloading goods at Sabhapathi road were creating traffic disturbances that last for hours.  Autorickshaws operating in the area that are parked indiscriminately in front of shops also add to the traffic woes.They also said that owing to the slow movement of traffic, lorries and delivery vehicles were refusing to enter the market. The leaders also suggested that one-way traffic should be implemented from Sannathi Junction to Ammankovil.Besides, a parking lot meant exclusively for  autorickshaws that come to the bazaar should  also be constructed close  to the Attakulangara bypass.