Kottayam witnessed a major protest on Friday as residents blocked the Alappuzha bypass, blaming unscientific national highway construction combined with monsoon rains for flooding that submerged over 500 homes in Alappuzha town.
Traffic Paralysis for Over Two Hours
The demonstration brought traffic along a 6-kilometer stretch of the national highway to a complete standstill for more than two hours. Protesters only called off the agitation after local MLA A D Thomas and district collector Shaji V Nair arrived at the scene and assured a temporary arrangement within two days to drain the inundation from the affected houses and surrounding areas. However, locals warned they would resume the protest if the promise was not fulfilled.
Sit-in and Road Blockade
Around 11 am, people including women staged a sit-in and lay down on the road at the Kommadi end, where the bypass begins, to highlight the waterlogging crisis. Soon, a long queue of vehicles, including ambulances, was seen stranded on the bypass overbridge. Vehicles traveling from Kalarcode towards Ernakulam were stuck on the elevated road. Police eventually eased the jam by diverting traffic.
Political Interference Attempted
When the MLA arrived at the protest site, representatives of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) tried to create an issue. However, residents pushed back, insisting that politics should not be dragged into the matter. People also complained that NH officials were not answering phone calls.
Assurances from Officials
Later, the district collector assured that work had begun to cut a channel using an excavator to release the stagnant water. The Alappuzha municipal secretary was tasked with monitoring the operation.
Root Cause of Flooding
As part of the highway construction, canals were covered, and drains and service roads were blocked. This caused floodwater to enter over 500 homes in the Arattuvazhi, Kalappura, and Kanjiramchira wards. Water that had filled homes and surroundings two weeks ago had not drained away. With the arrival of the monsoon, more water entered the houses, damaging motors and household items, prompting residents to protest. Elevated culverts built for the national highway also contributed to water inundation. As rain intensified, many families sought shelter in relatives' homes.
