The Association of Residents and Traders of Thiruvananthapuram has written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) seeking its intervention to address the hardships faced by local residents and traders due to the prolonged delay in construction of Eenchakkal Flyover.

The total closure of the vital junction due to the flyover construction, which began over two and a half years ago, has caused difficulties to the local traders and residents of Vallakkadavu, the Airport vicinity, and surrounding areas, said the association.

“While we understand that the scientific decision to add more spans (instead of earthen embankments) is a long-term improvement, it significantly extends the project timeline. Keeping such a critical artery of the city blocked for several more years is a grave injustice to the citizens and a blow to the local economy,” said the association in the letter.

Heavy congestion

One of the major demands of the association is the opening of the central portion of the junction permanently under NHAI supervision to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles in all directions. Currently, it is open only for special occasions and festivities. The heavy congestion on service roads can be significantly reduced by covering the drains on either side of the flyover and widening the carriageway by approximately 2 metre.

The association further said that hundreds of traders in the Eenchakkal Bypass area are on the brink of financial ruin after 30 months of road closure. Emergency patients traveling to Ananthapuri Hospital, Medifort Hospital and the Government Medical College are frequently stranded in grueling traffic. It also remains a major bottleneck for IT professionals commuting to Technopark and tourists visiting Shanghumughom Beach and Veli, said the Association.