Traffic movement in Palakkad town and surroundings will most likely be hit with the reopening of Palakkad-Pollachi rail route in a few weeks from now.
It was eight years ago that the rail route was closed for gauge conversion. As per the plan of Railways, the trains will chug along the route by April after the completion of the long-pending gauge conversion work.
“Among the 18 railway gates between Palakkad Town and Pollachi stations, two are within the city — at Robbinson Road and at Yakkara. With the increased movement of trains on the route, both the gates will remain closed most of the time. That will create severe traffic congestion in Palakkad town,’’ says T. Raveendran, a social activist. According to him, the demand to ensure road overbridges at these gates still remains unattended by the authorities.
The new broad gauge line will improve rail connectivity between north Kerala and the pilgrim centres in southern Tamil Nadu such as Rameswaram, Erwadi, Madurai, and Palani, but road users in Palakkad town will likely be affected.
“In all likelihood, the roads in the city will choke once trains resume operation. Robbinson Road links two busy areas of the city. Yakkara too is crucial,’’ says P.S. Panicker of Janajagratha.
The only overbridge built in Palakkad was at the G B Road junction. But that alone will not help manage the increasing traffic in the town. Palakkad has four bus stands and the buses will have to pass through the railway gates.
“The State government and the Railways must immediately address the issue. Priority must be given to these two points (Robbinson Road and Yakkara) in Palakkad town and at Kollangode. The rest can be build in a time-bound manner,’’ says Arumukhan Pathichira, a resident of Kollangode.
