Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyattinkara taluks will observe a half-day local holiday on Friday, November 13, while traffic restrictions will be enforced on key roads near Vettucaud for the annual feast at Madre de Deus Church and its associated religious procession.
District collector Anju K S declared the holiday for the afternoon in all government offices and educational institutions in Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyattinkara taluks. The order also covers institutions and government offices in 10 villages that were earlier part of Neyyattinkara taluk but are now administered under Kattakada taluk.
The villages included in the order are Amboori, Vazhichal, Kallikkad, Ottasekharamangalam, Keezharoor, Kulathummal, Maranalloor, Malayinkeezhu, Vilavoorkal and Vilappil. Previously scheduled public examinations will be conducted as planned, according to the collector’s order.
The traffic restrictions will apply to the Shanghumugham-Kannathura-Kochuveli road from Friday until November 22. The measures have been put in place in connection with the Vettucaud feast and the religious procession associated with it.
Parking will not be permitted on the Shanghumugham-Kochuveli road, Vettucaud St Sebastian Church Road, Balanagar Road and Vettucaud LP School Road during the restriction period. The affected roads connect the coastal Vettucaud area with Shanghumugham, Kannathura and Kochuveli, and the restrictions are expected to affect local access and vehicle movement around the church and procession route.
Authorities have warned that vehicles parked in violation of the restrictions will be removed using recovery vehicles. Legal action will also be initiated against vehicle owners or other offenders, the authorities said.
The holiday and traffic order creates separate arrangements for institutions and road users. Government offices and educational institutions in the specified areas will close for the afternoon, except for the conduct of previously scheduled public examinations, while motorists will have to avoid parking on the identified roads through November 22. The restrictions will remain in force for the duration notified by the district administration.
