Waterlogging and damaged roads choke traffic in city

Kochi: Monsoon has commenced and Kochi roads are already in bad shape, resulting in traffic bottlenecks across the city. The situation is not only bad at key junctions like Kakkanad, Palarivattom and Edappally, where construction activities are happening, but even on stretches where repair works were carried out in the recent past, like Kundanoor-Thevara bridge and Thammanam-Pullepady.On Friday, an acute traffic congestion was witnessed at NH 66 bypass stretch south of Edappally junction, where a flyover-cum-underpass is being constructed. Similarly, a serpentine queue of vehicles was witnessed at Palarivattom junction, where the construction of Kochi Metro second phase is progressing.“A main factor is the lack of planning. The authorities should have planned and completed the activities before the onset of monsoon. The waterlogging of city roads due to clogged drainages is another issue. Despite the experiences of previous years, corporation authorities again failed to carry out proper pre-monsoon cleaning of drainages and canals,” said P Rangadasa Prabhu, president of Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC).“It’s a nightmare for us to navigate NH bypass stretch from Oberon Mall to LuLu Mall due to the delayed construction of flyover-cum-underpass, originally slated for completion in May. Many two-wheelers and small vehicles take the service road from Edappally signal and Marotichuvadu junction. However, following the rains, the road is filled with thick mud slush at the portion where it meets NH bypass. Mainly, two-wheeler riders face the risk of slipping,” said Ramesh Mathew, a frequent traveller.Similarly, Thammanam-Pullepady road repair works were carried out last year, but craters have developed here, especially in Pullepady-Kathrikadavu section. “The section has turned into an accident spot. Waterlogging issues are also experienced towards Thammanam side, with no proper drainage facility,” said Mohan Raj, a resident.Meanwhile, unscientific planning and non-provision of utilities while relaying road stretches have resulted in certain key areas like Vyttila-Kaniyampuzha road being prone to waterlogging.“NHAI is constructing a drainage at Vyttila (from Kundanoor side of the service road near the flyover) now when the monsoon has rung in. The same is leading to acute traffic congestion in the area. A pothole has also formed at the junction where the vehicles turn to the city side,” said V P Chandran, Vyttila councillor.Similarly, the narrow Kaniyampuzha Road, which connects Vyttila with Eroor, was re-laid recently with PWD raising the ground level height, before laying interlock tiles. However, no provision for drainage was made, and the same is now resulting in heavy waterlogging.“With no drain outlet, the storm water is entering my shop. Similarly, water flows into the house compounds on the side of the road,” rued Muraleedharan K, a provision store owner.