Kochi: The Public Works Department (PWD) has set up a four-member expert committee to study and suggest development initiatives at Vytilla Junction in the wake of criticisms that a flyover alone would not be sufficient to resolve traffic congestion at the busiest junction. PWD principal secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao is the chairman of the committee which also includes the chief engineer (National Highways), the chief engineer (Design) and the chief engineer (Roads, Bridges and Administration) as members.
"We've compiled the complaints, concerns and suggestions expressed by various organizations and experts. The same will be scrutinized in detail studying about the possible infrastructural solutions," said P.G. Suresh, chief engineer, National Highways. A letter has been submitted to the government last week seeking to convene a meet of the expert committee to study in detail the future traffic needs at the junction.
"The committee will study the various options like construction of a subway at the junction from Kadavantra side to Trippunithura direction and back and construct of a subway to the Vytilla Mobility hub from the junction among others," the official said. A report will be prepared on the basis of which a decision will be taken.
There were criticisms from various quarters about the "unscientific" flyover construction. Various experts like E. Sreedharan had criticized the project saying the current design of the flyover would not alleviate traffic congestion at the junction as there would be still cross section traffic at the junction towards multiple sides. As per the project, two separate three-lane flyovers are being constructed in the Aroor-Edapally direction along the NH-66. The flyover construction is scheduled to finish by June 2019.
