Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Karode–Kazhakootam bypass strecth of NH is increasingly becoming a source of concern for people travelling at night, with complaints ranging from alleged drug deals and attacks to speeding and incidents involving groups posing as moral police.

The complaints are particularly concentrated around the Chenkavila–Poozhikunnu stretch near the state border, where residents say incidents involving parked vehicles, confrontations and suspicious activities have become more frequent after dark.

Police suspect that isolated stretches of the bypass are being used for the movement and distribution of synthetic drugs to Thiruvananthapuram city and nearby areas.

Complaints have also surfaced about drug transactions taking place along the bypass at night. Police have arrested several people in recent drug-related cases, while the Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) has carried out multiple operations in the Kovalam area.

Several drug seizures and other incidents have been reported along the bypass this month alone.

On September 28, DANSAF arrested two people after allegedly finding 93 grams of MDMA in a car on the Kovalam bypass. Earlier, on September 20, two people were arrested with 54.23 grams of MDMA on the Karode–Kovalam bypass.

On September 14, police also seized 50 grams of MDMA allegedly being transported on a scooter in the Vizhinjam area.

Complaints of attacks and moral policing

Drug-related incidents are not the only concern raised by residents and regular travellers.

There have been complaints of groups posing as moral police stopping and questioning groups that include women and allegedly subjecting them to harassment. Complaints have also been raised by women working at institutions including Technopark, who say they have faced verbal abuse, threats and attempts to attack them while travelling alone at night.

Theft attempts have also been reported at different times.

This month, a complaint was also raised after a young woman and a man accompanying her were allegedly stopped and assaulted by a group posing as moral police at Ayira on the Karode bypass.

Residents have also reported incidents in which people stop vehicles by the roadside and get involved in confrontations.

Night-time bike racing adds to fears

Another major concern is alleged bike racing on the bypass at night.

Residents and regular commuters say two-wheelers are sometimes ridden at high speeds, reportedly as part of races involving bets. Such riding can put other road users at risk, they say.

Several fatal accidents have also been reported on the bypass this year, adding to concerns over road safety.

Dividers and cameras planned

Police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are now moving towards additional measures to address accidents and other incidents on the Kazhakkoottam–Karode National Highway.

As accidents have become frequent, work has begun to install reflector-equipped dividers along the Ambalathara–Kumarichantha stretch to improve road safety. More than 50 dividers have already been installed under the NHAI's initiative.

Two surveillance cameras will also be installed to monitor vehicles, including two-wheelers, travelling at excessive speeds or being driven dangerously.

The cameras will be capable of capturing clear footage both during the day and at night across a stretch of around three kilometres. The installation is expected to be completed next week.

The system is being designed to transmit the camera footage directly to the traffic control room, allowing authorities to monitor the stretch and identify dangerous driving.