Heavy vehicles face timing restrictions in Kannur to ease traffic jams

Authorities in Kannur have started restricting heavy vehicles during peak hours to clear heavy traffic jams in Valapattanam and Melechovva. Collector P. Vishnuraj ordered these rules with help from the police. The restrictions will stay in place until bridge repair work at Valapattanam and flyover construction at Melechovva are both fully finished.

Traffic Rules

Heavy trucks with 10 or more tyres, multi-axle trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers cannot use specific roads during set hours. The restricted times run from 8 am to 10 am in the morning, and from 4 pm to 7 pm in the evening. These rules apply on the Valapattanam-Pazhayangadi road in Cherukunnu and on the Taliparamba road from Dharmashala all the way to Edakkad. Police have made special plans to let drivers park these large vehicles safely during these hours without blocking the road. Heavy vehicles heading towards Kannur must park right in front of the Edakkad police station. Kannapuram police checked the area from Cherukunnu Thavam to Irinavu to find proper parking spots, and Taliparamba police have also started taking action.

Public Demand

Travellers want the evening time limit to be made longer. They are asking the authorities to extend the restriction until 8 pm instead of 7 pm. People point out that when the ban lifts at 7 pm, all the held-up heavy vehicles will flood the road at the same time and cause big traffic jams all over again.