KMRL has called for the repair of Kochi Metro bypasses and de-congestion

Traffic jam at Vennala High School Junction, a key alternative route bearing the brunt of diversions due to the Kakkanad extension work of the Kochi Metro. Photo file

Fed up with the worsening traffic snarl on key diversion and alternate roads like Pipeline Road, Puthiya Road and Chakkaraparambu Road, people’s representatives and others have asked the District Collector and Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to demand steps to remove bottlenecks on these stretches where vehicles are diverted from Kakkanad Metro works in Kochi.

While Pipeline Road, which is on the northern side of the Palarivattom bypass, runs largely parallel to the Civil Line Road, which has been heavily barricaded due to the Kakkanad metro extension work, two other equally busy roads are on the southern side of the junction.

There are a lot of obstacles on the Pipeline Road in the form of large potholes, the tarred edges of parts of which have given way at many places, said Shiby Soman, a councilor who represents Padivattom Ward 37 in the Kochi Corporation. “I have submitted a statement to the Collector and MD of KMRL as there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of vehicles on the KWA-owned road since the metro extension work started. KMRL must ensure that the road is pothole-free, while the damaged shoulder of the road should be raised and strengthened with concrete paving blocks. This should be done on a war footing as traffic snarls and accidents have become common.”

Many bypasses that branch off the road are also witnessing an increase in the number of vehicles, leading residents’ and commuters’ associations to lodge complaints. Steps also need to be taken to remove obstructions and other obstructions from sidewalks, she added.

Expressing concern over the continued traffic snarl at the Vennala High School Junction bottleneck and the roads converging here, Chairman Naseema, Chakkaraparambu Ward 39 councilor, 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, which branched off from near Palarivattom Junction and connected St. Martin Road, Thammanam and South Janatha Road, has turned from a peaceful residential area into a nightmare for commuters and residents as the road avoids it as a bar diversion. “What’s worse, there are a lot of potholes on the roads while encroachments are increasing with passing days. Metro and civic agencies need to step in with mitigating measures,” he said.

Responding to the concerns, KMRL managing director Loknath Behera said the metro agency has written to the state government seeking ₹7.50 crore to repair damaged diversion roads and remove traffic bottlenecks. “This fund would come in handy to streamline traffic flow, especially as the monsoon has added to the woes of commuters,” he said.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 22:16 IST