The poor upkeep of the 16-km-long Edappally-Aroor NH 66 bypass and the subsequent worsening of traffic snarls and accidents on the corridor have led motorists and others to demand that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which collects hefty tolls from motorists using Kerala’s busiest National Highway corridor, live up to expectations.

Moreover, motorists and pedestrians have a gruelling time using the narrow service roads, as the tarred surface has given way in many places, creating a steep height difference with the earthen shoulder. Motorists, bus operators and others have been crying foul over traffic snarls at junctions leading to side roads, blaming ‘unscientific planning’ and the grossly inadequate width of the service roads.

“The worst part is the unscientific location of bus stops, mainly at the numerous points where vehicles from side roads enter the NH bypass. An apt example is the bus stop located right at the accident-prone U-turn in front of Ernakulam Medical Centre Hospital in Palarivattom. It causes traffic snarls on both sides of the bypass whenever a bus halts there,” said a bus operator whose fleet operates through the stretch

Expressing dismay over potholes developing even on the main carriageway of the NH bypass, T.N. Sajeev, Vennala regional president of the Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC), said the NHAI often fails to repair or resurface potholes on both the main carriageway and the service roads. Perennial flooding during the monsoon is another problem, caused by clogged and inadequate drains as well as rampant encroachments by businesses.

“The NHAI must invest at least half the toll revenue it collects in the upkeep of roads and allied infrastructure along the stretch. The Central and State governments must also step in, since the Edappally-Aroor NH bypass will remain the only corridor on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod NH 66 that has not been widened,” he said.

Steps must also be taken to decongest the Edappally, Palarivattom, Vyttila and Kundannoor junctions along the stretch and to ensure level roads. Inadequate or non-existent street lighting is another factor contributing to the rising number of accidents on the corridor, which is flanked by commercial establishments and densely populated residential areas on either side, he added.

“It is a mystery why the NHAI has not carved out dedicated lanes within the wide medians at U-turns,” said Nisar Karukapadath, who owns a medical shop at Chakkaraparambu on the NH bypass, where over a dozen people have died in accidents over the past two decades.

“Such a dedicated lane within the median can accommodate at least half a dozen cars that would otherwise have to halt on the NH carriageway at each U-turn while waiting to cross to the other side. The NHAI must also reactivate blinkers at U-turns and reduce the height of shrubs planted on medians near them to prevent the creation of blind spots that obstruct visibility,” he added.

Mr. Nisar also highlighted the urgent need for foot overbridges in pedestrian-dense areas to prevent accidents involving pedestrians.

While stating that instructions would be issued to the firm entrusted with the upkeep of the NH bypass, NHAI sources maintained that the Public Works department (PWD) and the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) ought to maintain the Palarivattom, Vyttila and Kundannoor flyovers, as well as the junctions beneath them. Likewise, they said, the Kochi Corporation ought to ensure adequate street lighting along the corridor.