KOCHI: A journey of barely a few metres is taking at least 15 minutes at Palarivattom as traffic diversions for the Kochi Metro Pink Line construction have begun to choke the busy junction and adjoining roads. The restrictions came into effect on Friday and have caused severe congestion during morning and evening peak hours. Commuters say the situation is already difficult for office-goers and others who use the stretch daily.
The month-long restrictions have been imposed in the SN Junction-St Martin’s Church corridor in connection with piling work near the church. As per the diversion plan prepared by the police and KMRL, vehicles travelling from Edappally towards Kaloor must take a left turn at SN Junction and proceed towards Palarivattom and then turn right at the junction to reach Kaloor.
The diversion has pushed more vehicles towards Palarivattom Junction, resulting in long queues that spill over to adjoining roads. The congestion is particularly severe during office hours. “During the rush hours, it takes 15 minutes on a bike and around an hour in four wheelers to cross the diversion point and reach Palarivattom Junction, even though it is only a few metres away. The congestion at the junction makes the situation worse,” said Vinu Thomas, a daily commuter. The barricaded stretch in front of the Palarivattom market is another major concern. Vehicles from Edappally, Palarivattom Bypass Junction and Thammanam converge there and make it difficult for vehicles to move smoothly.
“Work should have been planned in a way that minimised the pressure on the already congested road network. The situation will worsen once the rains intensify,” said Unnikrishnan, a security personnel at SL Plaza.
The general secretary of the Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC), Ajith Kumar P C, said the organisation would soon submit complaints to KMRL, the district collector and the police over the inconvenience caused to road users.
“We have received complaints from officials working at the High Court and other workplaces who are reaching late by an hour or so to mark their attendance despite leaving home early. The peak-hour rush is simply unmanageable now. The authorities should convene a meeting and explore alternatives before continuing with the diversion. KMRL and police should have considered the impact on daily commuters before introducing restrictions in such a busy part of the city,” Ajith said. Though several traffic police personnel are deployed in the area, people say vehicle movement remains slow.
Meanwhile, shop owners and street vendors along the stretch fear a further decline in business. They say vehicles are no longer allowed to stop even briefly to make purchases.
“Business has already been dull. The coming month is likely to be even worse as customers who usually stop for a few minutes to buy something cannot do so now. But police jeeps and bank vehicles have no such restrictions,” said Pramod C S, a shop owner.
Commuters have also raised concerns about the safety arrangements around the construction site. “Vehicles line up and with barricades restricting movement, even finding a safe gap to cross the busy junction to reach the bus stop or a shop itself is a challenge,” said Karuna, a pedestrian.
Long queues
Commuters say the situation is already difficult for office-goers and others who use the stretch daily
The diversion has pushed more vehicles towards Palarivattom Junction, resulting in long queues that spill over to adjoining roads