Madurai: Nearly a year after Madurai city police tightened restrictions on heavy vehicle movement following a fatal accident, trucks are once again flouting the permitted timings and choking key trading streets.
The restrictions were tightened after Arumugam, 47, a private hospital employee, was killed in October 2024 when a speeding truck hit him while he was walking through the onion market on Keela Masi Street.
S Sikkandar Yusuf, a commute, said emergency vehicles were affected. “I have witnessed an ambulance, having entered without realising there was a traffic jam, turn around, exit and take an alternative route,” he said. Truck operators, however, said the existing restrictions posed difficulties, particularly for handling perishable goods. They said they were willing to discuss revised timings with traffic police. Police said enforcement was continuing. “A fine of Rs 1,000 is imposed for the first offence and subsequent offences attract a penalty of Rs 1,500 on the spot,” said a senior official of the Madurai traffic police wing.
Police later arrested the truck driver.