The traffic coordination committee has introduced a slew of measures to decongest traffic in the vicinity of Kochi Metro work sites. The committee has been facing criticism for not solving the issue.
After a meeting held here on Thursday, the panel has directed private vehicles to take alternative routes to prevent snarls in areas barricaded for metroworks on the Aluva-MG Road-SA Road stretch. “KSRTC and private buses can continue to ply through regular routes since they ferry 70 per cent of the commuters,” ADGP (Ernakulam Range) K. Padmakumar told reporters.
More buses will be redirected through Salim Rajan overbridge. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install direction boards that are visible even at night. To a suggestion to decongest NH Bypass by redirecting inter-district and goods vehicles through Seaport-Airport Road, he said that might not be possible because of inadequate connectivity from Kundanoor to the road: “Moreover, filtering inter and intra district vehicles will be a tough job.”
Haphazard parkingCity Police Commissioner K.G. James said more no-parking boards would be installed on roads to stop haphazard parking. Police patrol teams would take action against rule violators and those who obstruct steady flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
Bus stopsMr. Padmakumar said bus stops near Kochi Metro sites would be relocated to avoid traffic snarls. He said signal timings would be altered wherever necessary. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) MD Elias George will meet KSEB officials to speed up relocation of electric posts that hamper traffic flow.
Alternative routesBuses going to the northern and the southern districts can skip MG Road by using AL Jacob bridge to reach Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, from where they can turn towards Kaloor and Kadavanthra, said a release by the City Police Commissioner. Two wheelers and light vehicles from Tripunithura can take Thykoodam Church Road, reach Bund Road that runs parallel to SA Road and reach Panampilly Nagar. Vehicles can also gain access to Bund Road through Chilavanoor Road.
Another alternative is to use Subhash Bose Road on the northern side of Vyttila and AL Jacob bridge to reach city. Vehicles towards Vyttila from the city hub too can use the bridge.
Vehicles from Aroor can take Kundanoor Bridge and turn right to Thevara, bypassing Vyttila and SA Road.
Light vehicles from Ernakulam North to Edappally can turn left from Judge Avenue Jn., take Sasta Temple Road and Elamakkara to reach Changampuzha Park at Edappally. Light vehicles towards city from NH 47 can turn left from Edappally, take NH Bypass towards Vyttila, turn towards Thammanam and reach MG Road.
Vehicles from Kalamassery can use Container Road to reach city and back, decongesting Banerjee Road. Those from Aluva to Kottayam, Tripunithura, Kakkanad and Chottanikkara can turn left from Aryas Jn., Kalamassery and reach Seaport-Airport Road.
