KMRL races to ease traffic snarl in Palarivattom

Kochi: With corporation authorities fixing Sunday as the deadline, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) expedited steps to ease traffic bottleneck near St Martin’s Church at Palarivattom, which has been caused by ongoing construction for Metro extension to Kakkanad.

However, there wasn’t any let up for the traffic snarls in the area on Friday. The traffic congestion and waterlogging caused by blocked drains and potholed roads are causing difficulties for the public, motorists and shop owners in the area. Interior roads and by-lanes also face major disruption during peak commuting hours. The drains along the stretch in front of St Martin’s Church is completely clogged with sludge which causes water to overflow onto the road.

Pumping out water using multiple pumps has proved inadequate. On Wednesday, mayor Minimol visited the area and conducted meetings with KMRL officials, police and other agencies to discuss a way out. “KMRL has roped in more workforce to speed up the restoration of the roads. More traffic wardens were deployed to regulate traffic.

The U turn in the area, which was closed after starting Metro work, has been reopened partially,” Minimol said.

She has issued directions to clean the drains and lay pipes to channel water into the drain from the road. A permanent box culvert will be constructed there once the works are completed. She also directed officials to lay tiles in the stretch between Chakkungal Road and JNL international stadium. However, when TOI asked motorists if there was any relief for the congestion in the area, they replied in the negative. Several businesses in the stretch have had to be closed temporarily due to decline in business.

Antony M V, a security person at the church said, “The church, shops and other businesses face a lot of difficulties due to the construction works and waterlogging. Traffic is worst affected during rains. The runoff water carries sludge and effluents, emitting a foul odour. People are also facing difficulties visiting the church.

” Surjith T S and Ben Sanoj, who own a shop next to the church, voiced their grievances. “The construction works have been going on for more than a year, and the resulting waterlogging and traffic congestion have dissuaded customers from coming in. Our shop is flooded whenever it rains,” they said.