The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has submitted two proposals to the State government to decongest Vyttila Junction on the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 Bypass, where chaos rules the roost despite the PWD (NH wing) constructing a six-lane flyover in 2021.
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This comes close on the heels of NATPAC opening its Kochi regional office a month ago. The first proposal is to construct a pair of flyovers on either side of the Kochi metro viaduct that crosses the junction in the SA Road-Thripunithura direction. It will ensure seamless traffic in the east-west direction, lessening hold-ups beneath the flyover, where vehicles from six roads converge, official sources said.
The second proposal envisages an around 3-km-long, at-grade-cum-elevated corridor that begins from Champakkara and ends at Elamkulam through the road that abuts the backwaters. It will help divert traffic in the east-west direction from Vyttila. The estimate for the two proposals is expected to be finalised in a month’s time, it is learnt.
Myopic planning by the PWD had been attributed to chaos at the junction, where a two-lane road beneath the flyover is lying unused, while vehicles from different sides are being diverted through other corridors by the traffic police. The PWD’s assurance in 2021 of kick-starting the second-phase development work at the junction to unwind the chaos is yet to materialise.
NATPAC is also expected to shortly announce a project to decongest Collectorate Junction. The construction of a flyover over Seaport-Airport Road is among the plans being considered.