The National Highways Authority of India’s move to shelve the vehicle overpass at the Eenchakkal junction along the upcoming four-lane Kazhakuttam-Karode NH 66 bypass has come in for flak.
The sudden move by the NHAI, citing funds crunch, ignores the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines for junctions, the increased traffic volume in the area, and the hardship likely to be faced by roadusers and pedestrians.
“The overpass was proposed to ensure free flow of traffic along the bypass and through the Arat road and service roads, taking into account the traffic volume, after the Detailed Project Report was prepared in 2006. Going back to at-grade junction (an intersection where more than two roads meet) with signals will not be sufficient to regulate the traffic. This will lead to chaos on roads to Eenchakkal as at Vytilla in Ernakulam,” a senior traffic planner said.
The introduction of traffic signals will lead to piling up of vehicles on the Arat road, service roads from Chakka and Kovalam and on the road leading to Sreevarahom-Attakulangara as the priority will be for traffic through the bypass.
Already, the corridor is witnessing heavy traffic following the opening of the city’s first shopping mall. The international airport, a private hospital, automobile showrooms on the bypass, and plying of low-floor JNNURM buses to the Eenchakkal depot are major contributors to the traffic crisis.
Once the four-laning of the 26.7 km Kazhakuttam-Mukkola stretch is completed, the Eenchakkal junction will be the major gateway from the city to the bypass corridor.
The junction will be the entry point to the city for vehicles coming from Kovalam through the bypass. Similarly, heavy vehicles bringing in goods to Chala market move through the junction to reach Melepazhavangadi flyover and Attakulangara bypass. “The NHAI cannot ignore the realities and road safety and should mobilise funds and reverse the decision,” the traffic planner said.
Cost escalation
A top NHAI official said on Wednesday that they cannot ask the EPC contractor entrusted with the ₹623.41-crore four-laning of 26.7 km to take up the overpass work not included in the DPR. “Funds crunch is the issue and cost escalation for EPC work has to be limited to 20%. The EPC contractor has been given four year maintenance contract and the overpass can be executed as additional work after getting approval,” he added.
The NHAI had proposed a 15-m-wide and 5.5-m-high overpass with slope of 240 m on both ends on the lines of the one at Venpalavattom and Muttathara for Eenchakkal junction at an estimated cost of ₹50 crore.
