Major traffic change on NH 66: Service roads made one-way, new guidelines issued

MALAPPURAM: Service roads along National Highway 66 will now operate as one-way routes. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Malappuram District Collector V R Vinod. The road safety meeting decided to restore the service roads to a one-way system instead of allowing traffic in both directions. Special guidelines have also been issued for those driving on NH 66 (Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram stretch).

Auto stands and vehicle parking that block service roads will be removed, and illegal encroachments will be cleared. Local bodies have been instructed to reorganise auto-rickshaw stands. The meeting also decided to strengthen surveillance through cameras and impose fines for violations.

Key instructions from the meeting:

• Only long-distance services, including KSRTC buses, are allowed to operate on the national highway.
• Stage-carriage buses must use the service road wherever it is available and stop only at designated stops.
• Vehicles should not stop on the national highway to pick up or drop off passengers.
• Unauthorised advertisement boards, banners, makeshift shops, and other structures that obstruct drivers’ view will be removed.