KOCHI: For the residents of Edappally and Marottichuvadu, crossing National Highway 66 has become a daily gamble with their lives. For, as work on the highway progressed, pedestrian access across the busy stretch disappeared. The zebra crossing and traffic signal that residents once relied on were removed during the recent underpass construction.
The existing foot overbridge is also set to be dismantled, leaving residents to negotiate a high-speed corridor with no safe crossing point.
“Edappally, Marottichuvadu and the Thrikkakara temple region were once socially interconnected. Now, with this ‘development’ work, the region feels like it’s been cut in two,” a local resident said.
Earlier, a staircase from the service road reached the elevated stretch of the highway, connecting the two levels. This has now been physically blocked with a large concrete side wall, effectively sealing off the neighbourhoods.
Many are thus forced to walk a kilometre to the Edappally junction nearby. “But this isn’t always practical, especially for school students and the elderly,” the person pointed out.
Mounting frustration among the residents had become more tangible with several protests held at the now missing pedestrian path, alleging poor planning and a lack of consultation.
That even had the local MLA, Uma Thomas, and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden intervening. Following a meeting between them and the National Highways Authority of India officials, the latter have agreed to prepare a detailed sketch to ensure the restoration of a pedestrian path.
Among the options being considered is the construction of structures on either side of the NH with lift access to a pedestrian overbridge.
The possibility of building an underpass beneath the proposed elevated highway is also being explored. However, officials said this may risk turning into a canal or a culvert in the event of disuse in the future. At the same time, the highway authorities have said that a route to cross the road can be considered when the elevated highway comes into operation.