KOCHI: The National Highway authorities were forced to go ahead with repair work at Karingachira Junction after the locals gheraoed a senior engineer almost a month ago. As the one-month-long repair work started two weeks ago the crucial link between Hill Palace and Karingachira Junction was closed. Now vehicles from Seaport-Airport Road, Kochi, Ambalamugal and Chottanikkara have no other option but cross the congested Irumpanam Junction. There is no traffic signal system at this junction. The authorities have not taken any measures, including appointing sufficient police personnel at the junction, to control traffic.
Three or four home guards without any proper training are here to control traffic. As the Karingachira Junction is closed for vehicular traffic, there is heavy traffic congestion at Irumpanam Junction. The toll collection at the ROB adds to the congestion. As most of the vehicles coming from Ambalamugal are heavy vehicles, the road from KRL to Irumpanam is always choc-a-block with traffic.
The repair work is scheduled to end in a month but the locals fear that it will take more time as the work is going on at a snail’s pace. Now vehicles coming from Ambalamughal, Chottanikkara, Puthencruz, and Muvattupuzha have to wait for hours to reach the city, especially during peak hours. Light vehicles coming from Seaport-Airport Road come to a standstill at Irumpanam Junction. The traffic congestion from Irumpanam Junction extends to Pettah Junction which in turn creates traffic jams in the pocket roads in Tripunithura. Besides traffic congestion, the potholed Irumpanam Junction is witnessing many accidents, especially involving two-wheeler riders. At least a dozen experienced traffic policemen should be there at Irumpanam Junction and SN Junction to control traffic from all the four directions which culminates at Karingachira.
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