Traffic control measures to be taken ahead of schools’ reopening

Mangaluru: With schools across the city set to reopen next week, Mangaluru City traffic police have planned special traffic management measures near major educational institutions to tackle congestion during peak hours.DCP (crime and traffic) K Ravi Shankar said additional police personnel will be deployed at important junctions and near schools during the initial days of reopening.“Traffic congestion is likely to increase as many parents may use private vehicles to drop their children. Personnel will be stationed at key junctions to regulate and clear traffic,” he said.Major schools across different traffic police station limits have been identified for traffic congestion. Schools located under Traffic East limits include St Agnes, Padua School, Lourdes Central, St Theresa, and St Gerosa.Institutions located under Traffic West limits are Besant School, Canara School, and Sharada School. Traffic South includes Capitanio School, Kendriya Vidyalaya Yekkur, Stella Maris, St Raymond’s, and Yenepoya School.In Traffic North limits, there are Mount Carmel School and Vidyadayinee School.The police department has also directed school managements to arrange designated parking spaces within campuses, and deploy security staff to assist in traffic management.Institutions have also been asked to educate parents and students on traffic rules and road safety through regular awareness programmes.An official from Sharada School, Kodialbail, said the school recently held a session urging parents to make use of school transport facilities to reduce traffic bottlenecks.Rosina D’Souza, principal of Padua High School, said the institution has arranged meetings with parents next week to discuss congestion issues.“Wardens and police personnel are deployed near Padua junction, and vehicles are allowed inside the campus for safe student drop-off. We also have a school bus facility; we have also taken necessary measures in this regard to ensure safety of students,” she said.