A persistent traffic nightmare has enveloped Vyttila Junction in Kerala, where congestion remains a significant issue despite recent attempts at reform. Observations from Thursday through Saturday revealed long queues of vehicles on the northwestern side of the junction, an area where six roads converge along S.A. Road. The ongoing challenges have prompted calls for expedited action on a ₹1-crore redevelopment project aimed at addressing the congestion.
Thampy V.R., chairman of the Vyttila United Forum, noted that recent barricades installed to enforce a free left turn at the eastern end of S.A. Road have inadvertently exacerbated traffic delays, creating a serpentine queue of cars. He emphasized the need for collaboration among key stakeholders, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Kochi Corporation, and the Public Works Department (PWD). “Instead of barriers, we need to consider measures like widening left turns and adding U-turns beneath the flyover at both Palarivattom and Kundannoor to streamline traffic flow,” he said.
Socio-political advocate Foji John echoed these sentiments, urging authorities to penalize private buses blocking the free left turn from Alappuzha toward S.A. Road. He called for urgent measures from the NHAI and PWD to alleviate bottlenecks and expand left turn lanes. John pointed out that discussions held by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and other relevant agencies indicated agreement on reducing the median underneath the six-lane flyover and carving out U-turns in underutilized spaces.
K.B. Suneer from the Private Bus Operators’ Association criticized the reforms implemented at Vyttila, referencing their success elsewhere in the city, like Kalamassery and Edappally. He noted that the traffic queue now extends the distance to Elamkulam on some days. Suneer urged the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society and other organizations to improve the efficiency of the 25-acre mobility hub to facilitate bus and vehicle entry and exit.
A senior official from the MVD clarified that plans for Vyttila Junction’s redevelopment hinge on state government approval of the ₹1-crore project proposed by the PWD. The project aims to reduce median widths and optimize the roundabout under the flyover to increase carriageway capacity. This junction redevelopment plan is set for further discussion in Thiruvananthapuram.
Meanwhile, a senior traffic police officer noted that smoother vehicle movement at Vyttila Junction could be achieved through better lane discipline among drivers and clear demarcation of free left turns. “We will refine traffic reforms based on feedback from all road users, including pedestrians,” he added.
As authorities navigate this complex issue, the call for immediate and effective solutions to Vyttila’s traffic woes grows louder. The community and stakeholders are keenly watching how upcoming discussions and plans unfold, hoping for substantial improvements in the near future.
Keywords: Vyttila Junction, traffic congestion, Kerala, urban planning, transport reforms, Motor Vehicles Department, public transport efficiency.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/traffic-reforms-fail-to-decongest-vyttila/article69695532.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2025-06-15 01:36:00
