Serpentine traffic snarls like this on Thursday (January 29) are increasing in and around Vyttila Junction due to the State government’s delay in redeveloping the junction and in widening free left turns.
| Photo Credit: John L. Paul
The Kerala State Human Rights (SHRC) Commission has directed the authorities of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works department (PWD), Kochi Corporation and the police to initiate steps to decongest the traffic situation at Vyttila Junction.
Taking suo motu notice of the worsening traffic snarls at the junction, SHRC chairperson Alexander Thomas issued an order dated January 28, 2026 asking the authorities to check whether steps are to be taken to chip away portions of the massive medians beneath the flyover and add space to the carriageway.
He directed the authorities to check whether steps should be taken to dismantle and relocate the traffic watch tower, which protrudes into the carriageway for vehicles moving towards Palarivattom from Thripunithura, Aroor and Vyttila, further towards the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road. They should also probe whether measures are to be taken to reduce waiting time at signal lights from the three directions.
The Director, NHAI, Executive Engineer, PWD (NH wing), Secretary, Kochi Municipal Corporation, District Police Chief (Kochi City), Regional Transport Officer, Ernakulam, should act in a coordinated manner to ascertain the causes for the traffic congestion at Vyttila Junction. The authorities should also ascertain the views of the people’s representatives like the respective ward/division councillors pertaining to the affected areas, according to the order.
A recent study by the Vyttila United Forum had 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, it 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 Thripunithura road to Elamkulam on S.A. Road. East-west traffic will flow smoothly once the junction is made signal-free through optimal use of U-turns in different directions, according to Thampy V.R, chairman, Vyttila United Forum.
Published – January 29, 2026 09:34 pm IST
