Kochi: The monsoon has commenced, and Kochi's roads are already in poor shape, leading to severe traffic bottlenecks across the city. The situation is critical not only at major junctions like Kakkanad, Palarivattom, and Edappally, where construction activities are underway, but also on stretches that were recently repaired, such as the Kundanoor-Thevara bridge and Thammanam-Pullepady road.
Acute Traffic Congestion on NH 66 Bypass
On Friday, acute traffic congestion was witnessed on the NH 66 bypass stretch south of Edappally junction, where a flyover-cum-underpass is being constructed. Similarly, a serpentine queue of vehicles was observed at Palarivattom junction, where the second phase of the Kochi Metro is progressing.
P Rangadasa Prabhu, president of the Ernakulam District Residents' Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC), stated, "A main factor is the lack of planning. The authorities should have planned and completed these activities before the onset of monsoon. Waterlogging due to clogged drainages is another issue. Despite experiences from previous years, corporation authorities again failed to carry out proper pre-monsoon cleaning of drainages and canals."
Ramesh Mathew, a frequent traveler, added, "It's a nightmare to navigate the NH bypass stretch from Oberon Mall to LuLu Mall due to the delayed construction of the flyover-cum-underpass, originally slated for completion in May. Many two-wheelers and small vehicles take the service road from Edappally signal and Marotichuvadu junction. However, after the rains, the road is filled with thick mud slush where it meets the NH bypass. Two-wheeler riders face the risk of slipping."
Thammanam-Pullepady Road Issues
Similarly, the Thammanam-Pullepady road underwent repairs last year, but craters have developed, especially in the Pullepady-Kathrikadavu section. Mohan Raj, a resident, said, "The section has become an accident spot. Waterlogging issues also occur towards Thammanam side, with no proper drainage facility."
Unscientific planning and failure to provide utilities while relaying road stretches have made key areas like the Vyttila-Kaniyampuzha road prone to waterlogging. V P Chandran, Vyttila councillor, noted, "NHAI is constructing a drainage at Vyttila (from Kundanoor side of the service road near the flyover) now, when the monsoon has arrived. This is causing acute traffic congestion in the area. A pothole has also formed at the junction where vehicles turn towards the city."
The narrow Kaniyampuzha Road, which connects Vyttila with Eroor, was recently relaid by the PWD, which raised the ground level before laying interlock tiles. However, no provision for drainage was made, leading to heavy waterlogging. Muraleedharan K, a provision store owner, lamented, "With no drain outlet, storm water is entering my shop. Similarly, water flows into house compounds on the side of the road."
