Traffic snarls around Edappally, Palarivattom spill over into NH Bypass, other arterial roads

According to citizens and traffic police officials, inordinate delay in removing barricades around Kakkanad expansion work sites of Kochi metro and disruptions on roads leading to Edappally Junction are contributing to massive and unmanageable traffic stalls across the city in recent times.

Sheriff S., Deputy Commissioner of Traffic, City Traffic Police (East), said Edappally has become the epicenter of snarls over time, with traffic congestion spreading to the Edappally-Aroor NH Ring Road and other major arteries in the city.

“One of the reasons for this is the large number of vehicles entering and exiting Lulu Mall from the adjacent gates facing Edappally Junction on NH 544. It is high time that entry is allowed from one side and exit from the side facing NH 66. Also, a pedestrian overbridge will help ease traffic congestion in front of St. George Church on the west side of Edappally Junction,” he added.

Inadequate signage and barricades around the National Highways Authority of India’s flyover work sites on both sides of the Edappally Junction added to the chaos. Many trenches dug as part of the work should be bordered with reflective tape and barricades to warn drivers in advance. He added that the slow pace of work has further increased the snarls, including on service roads along the Palarivattom-Edappally NH Ring Road.

Mr. Sherif, on its part, said Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has been working on the metro’s Kakkanad extension work yards at Palarivattom, especially St. He said the barricade in front of St. Martin Church should be reduced in size.

CJ Johnson, a commuter who has expressed concern about worsening traffic jams on both sides of metro rail work sites, highlighted in a letter to KMRL how even ambulances carrying patients were stranded due to delays in removing barricades.

“In such cases, even a five-minute traffic blockage can have disastrous consequences. This is apart from the huge monetary loss due to loss of time, wastage of fuel and resulting pollution. Solutions include reducing the barricaded area and relocating poles and other structures obstructing traffic flow,” he added.

Meanwhile, sources in KMRL said that the agency failed to carry out many preparatory works before starting the Kakkanad expansion project to remove bottlenecks and reposition pillars on the road. “The main reason for this was the State government’s failure to allocate adequate funds for the purpose, including ₹8 crore requested by the metro authority two years ago,” sources added.

As complaints about traffic congestion increased, it was stated that efforts would be made to reduce the size of the barricades established for extension works.