The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Arterial roads in the city in poor condition

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Thursday, Jun 26, 2008
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Kerala - Kochi

Arterial roads in the city in poor condition

Staff Reporter

These carriageways could have been used to divert vehicles during traffic snarls

Photo: Vipin Chandran

NO POND THIS: The service roads to the NH 47 bypass get inundated during rain as the drains have either caved in or have been filled up by shops. —

KOCHI: The numerous side roads that run parallel to the city’s arterial roads are in a very bad shape. These roads could have been used to divert traffic that now use congested main routes.

The already-fragile condition of most arterial roads in the city deteriorated after the monsoons, worsening traffic snarls.

Many months ago, the police had submitted to the Corporation of Cochin a list (and a detailed map) of side roads that could be used to divert traffic when snarls occur and when there are obstacles like processions.

Most of the side roads are under-utilised and are located in between Marine Drive and the Ernakulam Town and Junction railway stations.

Another set of parallel roads can be used between Thevara and Madhava Pharmacy Junction, with the third set located between Panampilly Nagar and Elamkulam (lying parallel to the SA Road).

“These roads could be used to divert smaller vehicles, when the main roads are packed with vehicles,” said City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham.

As of now, most of these roads are used mainly to park vehicles.

Even diverting a few hundred vehicles through these roads would considerably unwind traffic snarls in the city, he said.

The Corporation of Cochin did not do much to relay important side roads, despite the State Government sanctioning Rs. 7 crore last year to carry out post-monsoon repair works.

It has also not removed encroachers from roads that fall under it.

The two arterial roads under the Corporation – the Sahodaran Aiyyappan Road and the Chitoor Road too are in bad shape.

This prompted the Public Works Minister Mons Joseph to say that his department was willing to take over roads that the Corporation found unable to maintain. The Department has also expressed willingness to take over the badly-damaged Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road. The Greater Cochin Development Authority has been unable to maintain it despite it being the sole road under the Authority.

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