The freshly widened National Highway 66 in Kozhikode should be a smoother, safer ride. Instead, it's becoming a danger zone as motorists ignore basic traffic rules, putting everyone at risk.

  • Abrupt lane changes and reckless overtaking rampant on Malaparamba–Thondayad stretch
  • Illegal parking and private buses entering prohibited zones worsen hazards
  • Authorities planning intensified checks with radar-equipped interceptor vehicles

Patterns of Peril

Despite repeated warnings from police and the Motor Vehicles Department, the six-lane highway sees motorists treating the right overtaking lane as a cruising lane. Passengers report private buses illegally entering prohibited stretches, while heavy vehicles violate speed limits at entry and exit points. The absence of consistent enforcement has created a free-for-all atmosphere.

Parking Problems and Response Delays

Illegal parking has returned with declining surveillance, turning several stretches into hazardous zones. Motorcycle riders create unexpected obstructions, while broken-down vehicles languish for hours. Gopinath Pulikkal, a recovery van operator, notes the critical absence of displayed accident helpline numbers, leaving stranded motorists waiting endlessly for help.

"Many drivers are yet to familiarise themselves with the safety rules governing the six-lane highway. Sudden lane changes and speed-limit violations have emerged as life-threatening problems on the renovated road," says a retired traffic police officer.

Enforcement Response

MVD and highway enforcement officials confirm an intensified action plan is underway. Interceptor vehicles fitted with radar cameras will detect irresponsible driving, while efforts continue to activate all surveillance cameras along completed highway stretches. The technology push comes as traditional patrols have proven insufficient against the scale of violations.

Community Concerns

Local residents like Sadik Ali report heavy goods vehicles parking illegally along the Koyilandy–Vadakara stretch, with drivers blaming authorities for lacking dedicated parking facilities. Night patrols rarely act against these dangerous practices, suggesting both infrastructure and enforcement gaps need addressing simultaneously.