Traffic restrictions on bypass; service roads suffering from traffic jams

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the imposition of traffic restrictions on the bypass, traffic congestion is severe on the service roads from Kumarichantha to Chacka on NH 66. Traffic restrictions were imposed on the bypass after the construction of the Eanchakkal flyover, Kumarichantha flyover, etc. began. With this, people started travelling through the service roads. However, travel has become difficult since pits were dug at various places on this road to lay cables. The congestion will double as vehicles from side roads also enter the service road.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) closed the median of the bypass on March 26 and imposed traffic restrictions as part of the construction of a flyover at Kumarichantha Junction. Last week, the service road on that side of the Chacka flyover (Eanchakkal-Chacka) was closed, which also caused traffic jams.

Vehicles on service road

Vehicles coming from the General Hospital-Pattoor-Pallimukku-Pettah route can turn left on the service road only when they reach Chacka. Vehicles coming from Padinjarekotta (West Fort) to Eanchakkall cannot enter the bypass either. If motorists want to go to the opposite side of the road towards Muttathara, Shankumugham, Beemapally or Ananthapuri Hospital, they can only cross the opposite side by going to Muttathara via the service road and turning around

Dilapidated service road

After Perunthanni junction, the bypass from in front of Muttathara SNDP branch towards Thiruvallam to beyond Paruthikkuzhy junction is open for travel. Beyond that, it is closed. From there to Thiruvallam, traffic is via the service road. The service road from Kumarichantha to Thiruvallam is uneven and undulating.