Police are stepping up to manage traffic as schools reopen in the city

Police in Ernakulam district have planned extensive arrangements to handle the expected surge in traffic and ensure the safety of students as schools reopen on Monday (June 1).

Police have identified 59 traffic jams where heavy traffic is expected as hundreds of vehicles carrying students return to the roads after the summer holidays.

Major bottlenecks identified by the police include Vyttila junction, Edappally, Palarivattom, Vaduthala, Pachalam and both ends of Goshree bridges. “The locations have been identified through station-wise surveys and based on previous experience. Around 700 policemen will be deployed between 7am and 10am and again between 3pm and 6pm to direct traffic,” District Superintendent of Police (Kochi City) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said on Sunday (May 31).

During these hours, the movement of dump trucks will be restricted in the city. Personnel from transport units, local police stations and an armed reserve camp will be deployed. Other patrol teams will also be in action across the city. Units will be assigned to detect driving while intoxicated and under the influence of narcotics, the police officer said. Volunteers will also be stationed on the school grounds to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

These measures were reviewed at a meeting on Sunday attended by deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Rural Police has also drawn up deployment and surveillance plans aimed at school transport safety and traffic management. As part of the measure, awareness and training was recently conducted for school bus drivers and helpers under police stations in Aluva division.

Ernakulam Rural District Superintendent of Police KS Sudarshan said school buses will be subjected to strict checks to verify permits, fitness certificates and other mandatory documents. According to him, strict action will be taken against drivers who are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (MVD) completed the annual health check of school buses last week in preparation for the new academic year.

Published – 31 May 2026 21:46 IST