The traffic congestion being experienced on the Kallayi-Panniyankara road following the construction of the Panniyankara rail overbridge has been solved for the time being.
A major reason for the traffic block has been the potholes on the two sides of the narrow road underneath the bridge. These potholes had developed during the rains.
Now steps are being taken by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has been tasked with the construction of the overbridge, to fill the potholes. The repair works have been taken up using special materials.
District Collector N. Prasanth was compelled to intervene after complaints of heavy road blocks on the busy arterial road.
The repairs were done during the night without causing inconvenience to the motorists. The traffic police were also pressed into services for this purpose, officials said.
Besides, a new entry was established near the Panniyankara railway gate to allow smooth flow of traffic. Previously vehicles proceeding from Kallayi to cross Panniyankara railway gate had to take a U-turn at the southern end of the bridge.
The new entry now allowed vehicles to proceed to Meenchanda side after crossing the railway gate, they said.
Representatives of various residents’ associations had also approached the Collector to find a solution as schoolchildren taking the V.K. Krishna Menon Road had a harrowing time on account of the road blocks from lorries and buses.
Mr. Prasanth had issued an order regulating the movement of heavy vehicles on the road.
Various stakeholders held a meeting with the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) to sort out the problem. As such, heavy vehicles will not ply on the road between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, school buses have been exempted from this rule, the officials said.
