Patience wears thin as metro works hit traffic in Palarivattom

“Patience and safety today, convenience tomorrow” — so read the inscriptions on barriers along the stretch where the second-phase extension works of the Kochi metro between Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and Infopark are under way.

But the public’s patience seems fast running out, while safety has been reduced to a mockery amid waterlogging and potholed roads. Daily commutes along the stretch have turned nightmarish, with traffic literally crawling and wasteful burning of fuel taking a hit on commuters’ wallet considering the recent successive hikes in fuel prices. The situation is best captured by the logjam near St. Martin’s Church in Palarivattom, where traffic from Kakkanad and Aluva converges during peak hours.

Barriers isolating the metro works have narrowed the road to a strip barely adequate for traffic. Potholes, along with a U-turn a little ahead of the church slows down the traffic even more. “The situation worsens during rain, and two-wheeler riders need a unique balancing act to cover the stretch without falling. A simple ride of two or three minutes from Palarivattom bypass to Janatha now takes upwards of 30 minutes,” said Ranjeev Vasudev, who runs an Internet café at Palarivattom.

The Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC) accused Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) of irresponsibility in executing the work. “During the construction of the first reach, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation executed the work professionally by improving parallel interior roads before launching construction. We have already taken up the matter with the Traffic East police and the Mayor,” said EDRAAC president Rangadasa Prabhu.

Mayor V.K. Minimol said KMRL had already been asked to restore roads and drains disrupted along the stretch, which had led to waterlogging during rains.

“KMRL is coordinating with the agencies concerned to carry out constant examinations assessing the condition of drains and roads on stretches where works are progressing. Drainage blocks have come to our notice on some stretches. Phased interventions are being made to address waterlogging in compliance with directions from the Kochi Corporation and other agencies,” said KMRL sources.

Permanent road restoration, however, may have to wait until the completion of works. Temporary repairs are being undertaken, though. Contractors have also been asked to minimise public hardship, sources added.