New link road to decongest Vyttila junction

Kochi: A new 120-m-long link road, connecting Vyttila junction to mobility hub and running parallel to the existing Kaniyampuzha Road, will be laid to facilitate a signal-free traffic system and permanently ease the acute congestion plaguing the area.Meanwhile, authorities have started implementing a multi-phase junction redevelopment project.Vyttila junction, one of state’s busiest intersections, currently witnesses a massive traffic gridlock during peak hours, forcing commuters to wait up to four signal cycles to cross the junction. This is despite the construction of a six-lane flyover in 2021, which mainly caters to the north-south highway traffic.“A new link road is being laid to facilitate diversion of vehicles through the hub and ensure smooth flow of traffic in the east-west (Tripunithura-SA Road) direction,” said M X Sebastian, Ponnurunni division councillor.This road will be laid to the right side of Kochi Metro pillars under Vyttila rail overbridge (RoB), and run parallel to the existing Kaniyampuzha Road, which is on the left side of the pillars.According to officials, the layout creates two distinct pathways leading to the hub from S A Road, significantly decongesting it.

The new corridor will originate near the current police aid post, which will be removed, and run straight toward Vrindavan Apartment complex and cut through the underutilized, bushy areas of mobility hub.The new link road will facilitate diversion of vehicles from Palarivattom towards Tripunithura through mobility hub. To make this signal-free flow possible, structural changes are under way at the main intersection.As the bulk of Tripunithura-bound traffic will now bypass the main junction via the hub, the width of the direct passage from the junction towards Pettah will be reduced using temporary barricades to regulate flow.Uma Thomas, MLA, inaugurated the junction improvement works on Sunday. “The junction improvement works will be completed in two months. Simultaneously, we will also experiment the signal-free traffic system at the junction, by diverting vehicles from Palarivattom and SA Road (heavy vehicles) through the hub,” she said.Road safety authority has provided Rs 1.5 crore for the work and traffic police prepared its design.The work to demolish existing concrete structures beneath Vyttila flyover have begun. This phase of work includes removing the police aid post. The width of the central median below the flyover will be reduced by up to 2m over an 80-m stretch. The modification gives vehicles coming from Palarivattom ample space to make a hitch-free left turn, while also facilitating a free U-turn for commuters heading towards Thammanam.