Never-ending traffic chaos in Kandy and its impact on people’s health
Traffic chaos in Kandy is getting worse and so far there is no solution in sight. Those who use public transport as well as pedestrians are subjected to severe health hazards due to noxious emissions and dust. The prevailing dry weather has exacerbated the problem. Traffic comes to a standstill during the morning and afternoon school hours. Mind you, there are more than 14 schools along Peradeniya Road and most schools open and close at the same time. School buses parked outside schools during this time add to the traffic chaos, but they have no alternative parking.
There are several causes for the present situation. First and foremost the narrow roads cannot cope with the ever-increasing traffic that comes and leaves Kandy. The Old Peradeniya Road is so narrow that pedestrians have no pavement to walk on. Pedestrians are risking their lives each time they walk along this road. Apart from the risk of being knocked down by a vehicle, the air one inhales is so polluted that it can cause severe respiratory problems. Schoolchildren, both young and old, face this problem daily and several doctors have highlighted the health hazards faced by children in Kandy.
The narrow cross roads in the city are used by three wheelers, motor cycles and even push carts. It is dangerous to walk along these cross roads as there is no pavement. Why do authorities allow three wheelers and motor cycles to use these narrow streets? In other countries such narrow streets are closed for traffic and meant only for pedestrians. This is to save lives and prevent accidents. During the rainy season, these streets get water logged and pedestrians get splashed with mud when vehicles pass by.
To ease the situation the Police took certain steps in the past. One was to make Old Peradeniya Road and William Gopallawa Road one way streets. It caused lot of inconvenience to the public, especially school children but it eased the traffic chaos considerably. Shop keepers objected and protested to the Municipality saying they were losing business. There were not enough overhead crossings for pedestrians. People had to walk long distances to reach home or work.
The only solution is to make Old Peradeniya Road a dual carriage way like William Gopallawa Road. There are so many old buildings, some collapsing, along Old Peradeniya Road which could be demolished to make way for a dual carriage way. It may cost a lot but the benefits to road users would be immense. Pedestrians will be walking on a pavement and not exposed to accidents or noxious fumes day in and day out.
I hope the new government will understand the difficulties faced by the public young and old, and take urgent steps to remedy this problem. It would save lives by preventing accidents and reducing respiratory ailments.
J. W. Devasiri
Kandy