Justice for Akshara: An Urgent Call for Safer Roads in Kochi
The Issue
An Open Letter to the Chief Minister and Transport Minister of Kerala
5 November 2026
To:
Shri V. D. Satheesan, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala
Shri C. P. John, Hon'ble Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala
Copy to:
Smt. Uma Thomas, MLA, Thrikkakara
Shri Mohammed Shiyas, MLA, Kochi
The Transport Commissioner, Kerala
The District Collector, Ernakulam
Dear Hon'ble Chief Minister and Hon'ble Transport Minister,
On 4 November 2026, Akshara, a 29-year-old woman, lost her life after being struck and run over by a private bus while walking home from her gym in Kakkanad.
She was simply walking home. She should have made it home.
Anyone who lives in Kochi knows how dangerously many private buses operate. Speeding, aggressive overtaking, racing between stops and intimidating smaller vehicles have become disturbingly commonplace.
And where are pedestrians supposed to walk? Many of our roads lack proper footpaths, forcing people to walk dangerously close to moving traffic.
Walking on a public road should not mean risking your life.
What makes this tragedy particularly distressing is that the Kerala High Court has already addressed these systemic problems.
In Clemance Thottappilly v. State of Kerala (W.P.(C) No. 15090 of 2020), by its order dated 24 September 2026, the Court issued detailed, time-bound directions concerning private bus safety and road safety enforcement.
We are not asking the Government to find new solutions. We are asking for the urgent implementation of measures already directed by the High Court.
In particular, we call for:
- Mandatory GPS-based speed monitoring on private buses, with real-time tracking and automated penalties for speeding violations.
- Speed cameras and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) on high-risk routes, with strict enforcement and escalating consequences for repeat offenders, including appropriate permit action.
- Scientifically determined bus schedules and minimum intervals between buses, eliminating the incentive to speed or race for passengers. The High Court has directed that these studies begin with Ernakulam.
- Greater accountability for bus operators, including monitoring driver behaviour, reviewing repeated violations and examining operating practices that encourage dangerous driving.
- Safe pedestrian infrastructure, including proper footpaths, safe crossings and appropriate traffic-calming measures.
These are practical, achievable measures. Several are already subject to specific deadlines under the High Court's order.
We request the Government to publish, within 30 days, a clear implementation status report and timeline, identifying the responsible authorities and confirming how the Court's directions will be implemented within the prescribed deadlines.
Akshara's death cannot become another tragedy followed by a few days of outrage and then forgotten.
She should have made it home that morning.
Justice for Akshara must mean meaningful action, accountability and safer roads for everyone.
Yours sincerely,
Priyasha Corrie
Thoppumpady, Kochi
1,034
The Issue
An Open Letter to the Chief Minister and Transport Minister of Kerala
5 November 2026
To:
Shri V. D. Satheesan, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala
Shri C. P. John, Hon'ble Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala
Copy to:
Smt. Uma Thomas, MLA, Thrikkakara
Shri Mohammed Shiyas, MLA, Kochi
The Transport Commissioner, Kerala
The District Collector, Ernakulam
Dear Hon'ble Chief Minister and Hon'ble Transport Minister,
On 4 November 2026, Akshara, a 29-year-old woman, lost her life after being struck and run over by a private bus while walking home from her gym in Kakkanad.
She was simply walking home. She should have made it home.
Anyone who lives in Kochi knows how dangerously many private buses operate. Speeding, aggressive overtaking, racing between stops and intimidating smaller vehicles have become disturbingly commonplace.
And where are pedestrians supposed to walk? Many of our roads lack proper footpaths, forcing people to walk dangerously close to moving traffic.
Walking on a public road should not mean risking your life.
What makes this tragedy particularly distressing is that the Kerala High Court has already addressed these systemic problems.
In Clemance Thottappilly v. State of Kerala (W.P.(C) No. 15090 of 2020), by its order dated 24 September 2026, the Court issued detailed, time-bound directions concerning private bus safety and road safety enforcement.
We are not asking the Government to find new solutions. We are asking for the urgent implementation of measures already directed by the High Court.
In particular, we call for:
- Mandatory GPS-based speed monitoring on private buses, with real-time tracking and automated penalties for speeding violations.
- Speed cameras and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) on high-risk routes, with strict enforcement and escalating consequences for repeat offenders, including appropriate permit action.
- Scientifically determined bus schedules and minimum intervals between buses, eliminating the incentive to speed or race for passengers. The High Court has directed that these studies begin with Ernakulam.
- Greater accountability for bus operators, including monitoring driver behaviour, reviewing repeated violations and examining operating practices that encourage dangerous driving.
- Safe pedestrian infrastructure, including proper footpaths, safe crossings and appropriate traffic-calming measures.
These are practical, achievable measures. Several are already subject to specific deadlines under the High Court's order.
We request the Government to publish, within 30 days, a clear implementation status report and timeline, identifying the responsible authorities and confirming how the Court's directions will be implemented within the prescribed deadlines.
Akshara's death cannot become another tragedy followed by a few days of outrage and then forgotten.
She should have made it home that morning.
Justice for Akshara must mean meaningful action, accountability and safer roads for everyone.
Yours sincerely,
Priyasha Corrie
Thoppumpady, Kochi
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Petition created on 4 November 2026