Enhancing Safety and Connectivity: Urgent Call for More Underpasses in the Edappally-Muthakunnam NH 66 Corridor
Residents and traders along the 22-km Edappally-Muthakunnam NH 66 corridor in Kerala are rallying once more, demanding additional underpasses as the highway is upgraded to a six-lane road. On July 24, 2025, a relay ‘satyagraha’ was organized by the Kottuvally grama panchayat near Koonammavu Market to draw attention to these pressing needs.
The agitation stems from concerns for public safety amid increasing traffic and dense population in the area. Justin Elanjikal, a local resident, highlighted that many educational institutions are situated within a 250-meter stretch of the highway. He pointed out that the existing narrow service roads are inadequate for the volume of pedestrians and vehicles attempting to cross. “A single underpass located further away cannot accommodate the hundreds of vehicles and pedestrians needing access,” he stated.
The corridor is also home to multiple educational establishments, numerous shops, hospitals, and religious institutions, which exacerbate traffic challenges, particularly with the anticipated increase in vehicles from the soon-to-be-constructed Chemmayam bridge. Funded with an allocation of ₹19 crores, this bridge is expected to intensify congestion on an already overloaded road system.
Due to the limited width of the service roads, measuring only 5.70 meters, coupled with a single underpass with insufficient vertical clearance, heavy vehicles and container lorries are unlikely to navigate safely. Biju Pazhampilly, convenor of the Samara Samiti, emphasized that such conditions would funnel all traffic toward Chithira Junction, inevitably leading to persistent traffic snarls. He also noted that the high retention walls along the NH, reaching up to 22 feet, hinder air circulation, creating further safety hazards.
The lack of proper infrastructure has raised alarms about potential flooding of nearby houses during rain, attributed to non-compliance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms. Local parishes have previously protested for the construction of additional underpasses at Pallikadavu Road and Chemmayam Road to alleviate these issues.
While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has indicated that they are working to meet traffic requirements through the construction of necessary underpasses, many community members remain skeptical. They are pushing for urgent actions to ensure that emergency and routine travel can occur without strife along NH 66.
As the June 2025 deadline for the six-laning of this crucial corridor approaches, local advocates stress the need for serious consideration of public safety and community needs in road design. With the introduction of more bustling infrastructure, the challenge will be balancing accessibility and safety for residents and commuters alike.
This ongoing situation highlights the critical need for urban planning that prioritizes the welfare of the community and adheres to established safety regulations. The outcome of these protests could significantly impact traffic management and local infrastructure in Kerala.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/more-underpasses-sought-in-densely-populated-areas-in-edappally-muthakunnam-nh-66-corridor/article69851297.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2025-07-25 01:35:00
