KOCHI: Though the police and the authorities concerned claim that the second phase of the traffic diversion in the wake of the demolition of the North RoB is a big hit, the ground reality is that traffic in Pachalam and Pullepady areas has become more congested. The vehicular movement in the areas has become stagnant. When City Express roamed through the newly diverted routes, it was found that during the peak hours in the morning and evening the traffic block is severe there.Currently, all vehicles other than service buses and cars going to Kaloor and Edappally areas are diverted from High Court Junction through Mathai Manjooran Road or they have to keep left at Kacheripady and go through Chittoor Road via Ayyappankavu.After reaching Kattunkal temple near Pachalam railway gate, vehicles should take a right turn through Pachalam- Pottakkuzhi Road to Pottakkuzhi. From Pottakuzhi, they have to turn left and take Elamakkara Road to reach Edappally or take a right turn to reach Kaloor.But one of the major issues here is that during the peak hours in the morning and evening the railway gate will be closed every 15 minutes as more than ten trains pass through the area. As a result, there will be long queues and traffic becomes congested as the roads are narrow and full of potholes.Many heavy tanker lorries from Vallarpadom and Vypeen areas create further traffic block. “I had a terrible ride just to reach Kaloor from the High Court.The traffic was so congested that it took two hours to reach Kaloor. The traffic should have been diverted only after constructing one side of the bay in North RoB,” Rahul, a shop owner said.Vehicles going to K K Road have to reach Chittoor Road through Veekshanam Road and then turn right to Pulleppady Junction. From there, they have to turn left through C P Ummer Road, to reach the Pulleppady bridge. Then they have to turn left through T P Bund Road by the side of St Francis church to reach K K Road.But here the roads are not wide enough to carry vehicles from either side.A senior traffic police official told City Express that the traffic diversion was a complete success. “The traffic is smooth and diversion a big success.Some of the traffic blocks occurred because of the initial confusion about the route.But the problem will be solved within two days. We have deployed enough police personnel here to ease the traffic.Traffic diversion is 90 per cent success,” traffic police sources said. According to councillor N Venugopal, the traffic diversion is an utter failure and the traffic has gone haywire. “The traffic block was severe in the entire city.Diverting traffic through the Pachalam route is a big blunder. The decision was taken without considering the condition of the road and the railway gate.The traffic on the route has to be assessed and effective measures taken to ease the bottleneck. Earlier it was said that the demolition of the second bay will only begin after constructing the first bay.But the change in plan has led to the traffic congestion." "The police are carrying out the alteration without consulting the corporation. We are unaware of the new diversion as it was not discussed in the corporation council,” said N Venugopal.Sabu Sebastian, a resident near the Pachalam railway gate, said there was no proper planning as far as traffic diversion is concerned. “How can the traffic be diverted through this route. Even in normal days, the traffic is busy as roads are narrow here. The condition of the roads here is also not good. Over 100 trains pass through this route. So the railway gate is closed several times. Under such circumstances, the traffic diversion through this route has become an utter failure,” Sabu Sebastian said.
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