* A separate track for two-wheelers and autorickshaws

* Only city buses should be allowed entry into city limits while other buses should use the highway

* Uniform running time for buses and the number of trips should be reduced

* Overtaking should not be allowed in city limits

* Name of the bus owner should be displayed on the bus, and uniform and identity cards for drivers, conductors and door checkers should be made mandatory

* Construction of bus bays

* Immediate cancellation of licence for traffic offenders in case of causing death

* Renewal of heavy driving licence every year

* Scientific drawing of zebra lines

* The contractor who undertakes the work should ensure that roads are in good condition for three years

* User charges should be collected from heavy construction contractors or builders whose tipper lorries ply on the road

The scene now

The city roads have become congested due to the increasing number of vehicles. Buses, lorries, cars, two wheelers and other vehicles ply on the same lane. All long distance transport buses enter the city from Edappally and ply on the busy city roads.

Despite strict monitoring by the police, private buses still violate rules. And they blame it on hectic schedules. Conductors, drivers and door checkers have neither uniforms nor identity cards. Cancellation of a driving licence in case of causing death is not being followed strictly. All suggestions in this regard remain only on paper. Renewal of heavy licences is done once in three years. After a series of accidents, zebra lines have been drawn at many places in the city. But motorists ignore them and zoom ahead without stopping for pedestrians to cross.

While tendering road repair work, local bodies can add a clause to ensure five-year minimum guarantee from the contractor.

But usually this clause is omitted and as a result roads get damaged immediately after repair work.

Currently there is no provision to impose user charges on tipper lorries and heavy vehicles. A lot of tipper lorries ply on the roads regularly and damage them.

We suggest…

* All long distance buses should be diverted to the bypass and there should be specific bus stops.

* Road widening is the only solution to ease traffic.

Take up road widening work on a war footing.

After acquiring the land for widening a report should be prepared scientifically to construct separate tracks for two-wheelers, autorickshaws and buses.

* The administration should make it mandatory for the bus crew have uniforms and ID cards.

Those violating rules should be fined on the spot.

* Licence should be cancelled immediately if a driver commit offences repeatedly in a short span of time.

* Renewal of heavy licences should be made mandatory every year after conducting stringent tests.