Traffic congestion at Vennala High School Junction, a key alternative route bearing the brunt of diversions due to the Kochi Metro’s Kakkanad extension works. File photo
Fed up with worsening traffic snarls on key diversion and alternative roads such as Pipeline Road, Puthiya Road and Chakkaraparambu Road, people’s representatives and others have petitioned the District Collector and the managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), demanding steps to clear bottlenecks on these stretches through which vehicles from Kochi metro’s Kakkanad extension worksites are being diverted.
While Pipeline Road, which is located on the northern side of Palarivattom bypass junction, runs largely parallel to the Civil Line Road that has been extensively barricaded for the metro’s Kakkanad extension work, the other two equally busy roads are on the southern side of the junction.
Obstacles abound in the form of big potholes on Pipeline Road, whose tarred portion edges have given way at many places, said Shiby Soman, the councillor who represents Padivattom Ward 37 in Kochi Corporation. “I submitted representations to the Collector and KMRL’s MD, since there is a phenomenal increase in the number of vehicles through the KWA-owned road, ever since the metro extension works began. KMRL must ensure that the road is free of potholes, while the damaged road shoulders should be raised and reinforced using concrete paver blocks. This ought to be done on a war footing since traffic snarls and accidents have become common on the corridor.”
Many byroads that branch off from the road are also witnessing a surge in the number of vehicles, prompting residents’ associations and commuters to file complaints. Steps must also be taken to clear encroachments and other obstacles from footpaths, she added.
Expressing concern at continuing traffic snarls at the bottlenecked Vennala High School Junction and on roads that converge here, Naseema P.M., the councillor of Chakkaraparambu Ward 39, hoped that steps would be taken to widen the junction.
Sajeev Kurup, a tourism entrepreneur who has been a resident of Chakumkal Road since 1995, spoke of how the road that branched off from near Palarivattom Junction and connects St. Martin Road, Thammanam and South Janatha Road among others, had transformed from being a peaceful residential area to a nightmare for commuters and residents due to vehicles using it as a diversion road to avoid the barricaded Civil Line Road. “Making matters worse, potholes abound on the road, while encroachments are increasing as days pass by. Metro and civic agencies must step in with mitigation measures,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, KMRL managing director Loknath Behera said that the metro agency had written to the State government seeking ₹7.50 crore to repair damaged diversion roads and to clear traffic bottlenecks. “This fund would come in handy to streamline traffic flow, especially since the monsoon has added to the woes of commuters,” he said.
Published – July 21, 2026 10:16 pm IST
