Both Edappally and Vyttila junctions need underpasses, since flyovers will lessen traffic congestion at the two critical junctions by only 25 per cent, India’s metro man E. Sreedharan said.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had submitted concept proposals on the two underpasses to State PWD over a year ago, but the Department has not responded so far. The Edapally flyover that is in the final stage of construction hovers over NH 47 (in the east-west direction) and would relieve traffic movement towards the city. A (north-south) underpass linking NH 47 Bypass and NH 17 is critical since the two busy highways need to be linked. The flyover has a lengthy central span so that an underpass can be built beneath, he told The Hindu. Citing solutions to decongest Vyttila, Mr Sreedharan, who is now DMRC’s Principal Advisor said the proposed flyover would smoothen traffic only along NH Bypass. “An underpass linking SA Road with Tripunithura Road is crucial to cater to heavy traffic flow in east-west direction. Kochi Metro’s viaduct will in no way affect the construction of underpass,” he said.
