Councillors to stage stir demanding steps to decongest Vyttila Junction

With neither the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) nor the Public Works department (PWD) National Highways (NH) wing taking steps to redevelop or decongest the Vyttila Junction, newly elected councillors from four wards in and around the area will stage a hunger strike at the junction on January 28. The junction is considered the busiest in the State.

Mayor V.K. Minimol is among those expected to visit the venue of the agitation. This will be followed in the first week of February by a video presentation on measures to decongest the junction and make it signal-free.

The presentation will be organised by the Vyttila United Forum, a confederation of residents’ associations, merchants’ unions, political organisations and councillors. Chandran V.P., councillor representing Vyttila (Division 46) in the Kochi Municipal Corporation, said motorists had expected hassle-free travel when the six-lane flyover at the junction was commissioned five years ago.

“However, unscientific junction redevelopment has worsened the situation for both motorists and pedestrians. Multiple studies conducted by various government departments, along with assurances by the Ministers concerned that their recommendations would be implemented, have turned out to be a farce,” he said.

Traffic congestion and chaos have since worsened at the junction and on roads leading to it. In this situation, the State government must approve a ₹1 crore project submitted by the PWD NH wing to chip away portions of the massive medians beneath the flyover and add the space to the carriageway, he demanded.

Steps should also be taken to dismantle and relocate, further towards S.A. Road, the traffic police watchtower that protrudes into the carriageway for vehicles moving towards Palarivattom from Thripunithura, Aroor and Vyttila. These measures would considerably reduce waiting time at signal lights from the three directions. In addition, the traffic police or the Motor Vehicles department (MVD) should install countdown timers at all signal lights to prevent fuel wastage, Mr. Chandran said.

Video presentation

Referring to the proposed video presentation in early February, Vyttila United Forum chairman Thampy V.R. said the objective was to draw the attention of the State government, the PWD and the NHAI—which owns the Edapally–Vyttila–Aroor NH 66 Bypass—to the chaos prevailing at the ill-planned junction where over half a dozen arterial roads converge.

Study conducted

A recent study conducted by the forum found that around 1.5 lakh vehicles pass through the junction daily, which has an unscientifically designed flyover and a mismatch with the roads below. Apart from traffic snarls and accidents, this has also led to several traders shutting shop in the area.

The study found that around 80% of vehicles pass through the junction in the east–west direction, resulting in traffic hold-ups from Champakkara on the Thripunithura Road to Elamkulam on S.A. Road. East–west traffic would flow smoothly once the junction is made signal-free through optimal use of U-turns in different directions, he added.