KOCHI: A heads-up to Thrikkakara Municipality residents; they are set to witness the worst traffic congestion they have ever faced, as the traffic police have decided to implement traffic diversions from December 11 as part of construction work. As per the plan, heavy vehicles coming from the Aluva side should take the Seaport-Airport Road to reach Kundanoor before proceeding to Alappuzha side. The heavy vehicles from Aroor to Aluva side should also reach the Seaport-Airport Road, skipping Vyttila junction.
“Already the Seaport-Airport Road has major traffic blocks,” said a police officer. “With the Sabarimala season kicking off, the traffic congestion has become a major issue. There is no doubt Thrikkakara will choke in the traffic block with the new diversion coming into force.” According to him, with the pilgrim traffic expected to increase by the second week of December, the traffic congestion will be a major problem for the Municipality. “In the past year, we faced a lot of issues in controlling traffic. Most of the devotees going to Sabarimala include a visit to Chottanikkara temple as part of their trip,” he said.
The congestion is anticipated as the diversion is being put in place without developing arterial roads. The roads like Palarivattom-Pipeline Road, NGO Quarters-Thoppil-Edappally Road and TV Centre-Vennala-Chalikkavattom Road need to be revamped to avoid a traffic jam which is expected to continue for over a year.