At the height of inconvenience caused by the construction of Kochi metro, Kochi Metro Rail Limited embarked on an innovative campaign featuring gooseberries to soothe the frayed nerves of commuters caught in slow-moving traffic. It was an attempt at convincing the irked commuters how like gooseberries turn from sour to sweet, the inconvenience caused by metro constructions will turn a blessing later on when it is commissioned.
The Public Works Department may have to consider doing something similar as Vyttila is fast turning out of bounds with autorickshaws and online cabs no longer taking trips in the direction, thanks to the traffic mayhem caused by the ongoing flyover construction work.
“The traffic is so hectic that for a ₹30-trip, we end up wasting fuel double that fare not to mention the time wasted on the road. It has become so unfeasible that many have stopped operating altogether. Besides, it also end up in ugly exchanges with passengers who are equally agitated over the traffic scene,” said Sudhin Kumar, an autorickshaw driver operating pre-paid services from Vyttila Mobility Hub and State Committee member of the AITUC-affiliated Kerala State Private Motor Thozhilali Federation.
He bemoans the hardships of operating trips to the northern side of Vyttila and then the return back to the hub through the Ponnurunni underpass due to the many diversions and restrictions.
Rare trips
Ranjith, an autorickshaw driver operating from a stand along the bypass at Chalikkavattam, said that the rare trips to Vyttila are undertaken during afternoon hours when the traffic is relatively better though there will still be block up to the Vyttila rail overbridge. “Our daily income has also suffered a dent since we used to get a lot of trips to Vyttila Mobility Hub, which we are now forced to forfeit,” he lamented.
Online cab operators also have a similar tale to share with trips to Vyttila are a strict no now during most hours.
Since bookings are accepted online, drivers end up requesting clients to cancel the booking citing the nightmarish traffic.
“But operators can hardly agitate since it will be perceived as against a development project and will eventually antagonise the public,” said T.R.S. Kumar, State president, All Kerala Online Taxi Drivers Union.
Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer Reji P. Varghese said that the issue has not yet been brought to their notice. “We will definitely intervene in the issue in consultations with the police,” he said.
