Traffic police hailed for uniflow

"We should have done this long ago" - says public

By Afreeha Jawad

For the first time in Colombo Seven, a three and a half kilometre stretch today experiences the uniflow traffic system or as we call it in common parlance - one way traffic. Though it got off to a bumpy start on Poya day, what with a misinformed public on whom this nerve testing endeavour went beyond all limits of endurance, today the team head of this 'trial and error', Senior Superintendent of Police A.M.G.R. Lafir is all euphoric in that the operational smooth flow finds symmetry with his mind's objective.

"We had a few hiccups - Oh! my Goodness. It was really terrible that introductory morning - I mean the awful congestion... but, in a way I thought it was good that the public had not got the media message right because it helped me and my team to get to know first hand all the shortcomings and misgivings," said Lafir laughingly.

Certainly to both public and this enthusiastic SSP it was akin to one's debut in swimming. No amount of theory would do until and unless the beginner confronts water. Once in it, one goes through "practicalities" and comes off smoothening all rough edges.

Of course that's exactly what happened when the Traffic Police and a hot headed public battled it out to straighten their crossed wires. Some socialities were even resting their battered nerves in five star climes having painfully gone through much mental bruise on that historic trial's unending traffic snarl.

Adding fuel to the fire was the location of some leading schools like Thurstan, Royal, Ladies' College, St. Bridget's, Bishops and Stafford International whose clientele - both parents and children to some extent experienced conflict much to the relief of the following day's situational adjustment. "Anyway, we must remember that thing were far worse prior to uniflow," said SSP Lafir. These residents, parents and school children have gone through so much all these years. Nevertheless, all of that day's testing ordeal - was worth while for a meaningful outcome," he said reflecting on this - the traffic police's brainchild.

"How can one identify a problem without implementation," he asked hinting at some quarters critical over the venture. However, SSP Lafir was not unmindful of the encouragement from certain public officials.

The uniflow system assuredly into other areas as well is seen by Lafir as something long overdue and very necessary for economic growth, security and drivers' discipline.

"The disciplined traffic abroad is a direct result of uniflow. Sri Lanka's existing road infrastructure has to be made use of. As it is, we cannot expect much road improvement because of high costs. More flyovers and underground roadways are unreachable," informed SSP Lafir.

The uninterrupted free flow of traffic in one direction and prohibiting the 'U' turn even for three wheelers, a reduced fuel usage, immense economic benefits, minimum road accidents, reduced traffic lights inter-alia are inflow's positive features.

"Time taken to move out from these areas during peak hours is also greatly reduced according to Lafir. Cross roads involved in this endeavour are Queen's road, Bagatalle, Pedris, Flower, Inner Flower Roads, Fifth lane, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Guildford Crescent, Maitland Crescent and Professor Stanley Wijewardena Mawatha.

At the time of writing it was the fourth day following the initiation of uniflow. Public opinion of this whole operational mechanism has now turned from disgust to joy. "We should have done this long ago" was the opinion of many.

[email protected]