Government agencies are turning a blind eye to the upkeep of Vyttila overbridge’s underpass, despite its potential to decongest the junction.
The proposal to make it one way, after hewing out an underpass on the northern side, is also hanging fire. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which owns the NH Bypass and service roads, has not been maintaining the underpass, despite damaged and uneven slabs stifling movement of vehicles and pedestrians for the past many years.
The underpass beneath the bridge on the eastern side is narrower than the one beneath the western-side bridge, making it tough for vehicles to proceed in either direction. The net result – motorists jostle for space on the underpass, creating all-round chaos. A traffic police constable, who was deployed here, has also been withdrawn. “We requested NHAI many times to maintain the underpass and also to take steps to prevent flooding. But nothing was done. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) must repair the underpass since Kochi Metro works are gaining momentum at Vyttila and service roads must be optimally utilised to divert vehicles. The metro agency must also take steps to black top the stretch beneath the bridge on the northern side that could be converted into an underpass,” said Sunitha Dixon, councillor of Kochi Corporation’s Vyttila Division.
She cited the need for a culvert to prevent flooding on the underpass. “We will permit commencement of metro’s civil works at the junction only after the underpass is maintained. Kochi Corporation can deploy its workers to raise the height of slabs, as a temporary respite for traffic chaos. But NHAI must not object to this,” Ms. Dixon said.
