Kochi Residents Struggle as Narrow Road Becomes Daily Nightmare
People living along the Mamangalam-Pottakuzhi road in Kochi are facing severe disruptions to their daily lives. The narrow stretch remains completely choked during peak hours, creating impossible travel conditions. Residents report missing important trains and flights regularly due to the relentless traffic gridlock.
Metro Construction Diverts Heavy Traffic to Residential Area
The problem began when commuters from the Aluva-Ernakulam main road started using this narrow residential stretch as a shortcut. They were trying to bypass congestion at Kaloor caused by ongoing Kochi Metro construction work. This sudden influx multiplied traffic volume manifold on a road never designed for such heavy use.
Dr M M Faizal, executive member of Bhagyathara Nagar Residents' Association, explained the situation clearly. "Traffic congestion between Palarivattom and JLN Stadium due to Pink Line construction pushed a heavy volume of vehicles onto our road," he said. "The road is simply too narrow to handle this traffic volume."
Residents Voice Desperate Pleas for Immediate Action
Several residents' associations, including multiple apartment complexes along the road, have approached the city police commissioner seeking urgent intervention. Their earlier appeals failed to bring any relief, forcing them to escalate the matter.
Ravi Shankar Nair, president of Abad Oriental Gardens Owners' Association, shared disturbing details. "Traffic movement has become so restricted that even getting a taxi or auto is difficult now," he revealed. "There were several instances of residents missing flights and trains because they couldn't get out of their own neighborhood."
Nair's apartment complex alone houses around 145 families, all affected by this crisis. "We emailed the city police commissioner twice, but there was no real action so far," he added with visible frustration.
Critical Infrastructure Problems Compound Traffic Woes
The road suffers from multiple structural issues that worsen the congestion. Electric poles and other utility structures jut into the carriageway at several points, making travel particularly difficult. At least five locations along the road are extremely narrow, making two-way traffic nearly impossible.
Illegal parking further aggravates the situation, creating complete standstills during busy periods. Regular commuters familiar with the road's limitations try to allow vehicles to pass alternately, but unfamiliar drivers often attempt to force their way through, triggering complete gridlocks.
Dr Faizal highlighted the emergency implications. "Even during emergencies, residents are forced to factor in delays of at least 30 minutes on this stretch," he said, emphasizing the serious safety concerns.
Strategic Importance of the Controversial Road
Mamangalam-Pottakuzhi road runs parallel to the Edappally-Ernakulam stretch, serving as a key shortcut for many commuters. People heading towards Edappally, Kalamassery and Kakkanad from High Court and Vypeen regularly use this route. Residents argue that smoother traffic flow here would actually ease pressure on the main arterial road too.
They have demanded urgent intervention by traffic police to regulate movement and clear bottlenecks. Some have even sought the PWD minister's help back in November, but without satisfactory results.
Police Response and Possible Solutions
Police authorities acknowledge the problem is under active consideration. Assistant commissioner of police (traffic East) Asharaf AA confirmed that the road was one of the proposed alternative routes due to Metro construction, and its development was expected soon.
"We can't restrict other vehicles from using the stretch," Asharaf explained. "Declaring it one-way could also draw objections from residents forced to take longer detours. We will study the road, identify bottleneck points and address them scientifically."
The police are considering various options, including the possibility of declaring the stretch a one-way route. However, they recognize this solution might create new problems for local residents who would then face longer travel routes.
For now, Kochi residents continue their daily struggle, hoping for a swift resolution to a problem that has turned their neighborhood into a traffic nightmare affecting their work, health emergencies, and important travel plans.
