With the Kochi Metro Rail construction work set to begin on Friday, the various departments in the city have arranging alternative measures to accommodate the traffic that might worsen in the coming days. According to Traffic Police (East), only slight regulations will carried out on the Edappally region as of now. “Though we have already prepared a detailed traffic plan, the diversions will not be implemented immediately as the DMRC will occupy only a certain portion along Edappally Bank Junction-High School Junction stretch. “The vehicles can move smoothly through the either sides of the median,” Edappally CI Jayakrishnan told City Express.
The officials added that as the metro work progresses, the traffic will be regulated accordingly.
Steps to Control Rush
GCDA chairman N Venugopal said steps have been taken to accommodate the extra traffic on the MG Road. “Once the construction works of the Metro Rail begins at MG road, we anticipate huge traffic bottlenecks. In view of this, we have already opened the Ambedkar Marg so as to ease traffic. A four-lane road will be constructed near the Ambedkar stadium to enable smooth flow of traffic through the Rajaji Road and AL Jacob RoB,” he said.
Exclusive Route for Buses
On Thursday, a site inspection was conducted near the Ambedkar Stadium. District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth, Hibi Eden MLA, Mayor Tony Chammany, Traffic West Assistant Commissioner Baby Vinod and KSRTC officials were present during the inspection.
An exclusive route for KSRTC buses has also been planned. “A seven-meter road will be constructed on the West-end side of the Ambedkar stadium so that KSRTC buses can easily enter the stand. Once a separate route is determined for KSRTC buses, much of the traffic congestion can be avoided,” Baby Vinod said. The alternative route will become more useful once the demolition of the South Rob takes place. Plans are afoot to construct a eight-metre wide and 16-metre long bridge at Kadavanthara so as to facilitate the traffic from the Eastern entry of the South Railway station. Vehicles can easily use this road to enter Panambilly Nagar, Vyttila and Kaloor from Kadavanthra, especially with the demolition of the South RoB.
Corp, GCDA Set for Work
Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany has said that the Kochi Corporation will extend its cooperation to the Traffic Police, KMRL and the DMRC.
Meanwhile, GCDA chairman N Venugopal said the work will go smoothly as land acquisition procedures are going on fast.
Meanwhile, the residents associations have also expressed full trust in the DMRC. “We have no apprehensions as we believe that the DMRC has taken proper measures. The public agitations have been addressed and public cooperation is necessary for the work,” said Kuruvilla Mathews, state general-secretary, Residents Association Coordination Council.
Meanwhile, the EDRAAC has submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy seeking extension of the Metro rail to Tripunithura.