Kochi: Despite being the festival season, the city streets and roads looked quite bare on Monday and there was no traffic congestion. Movement of vehicles was smooth even in busy junctions like Edappally, Palarivattom and Vyttila and on major roads including MG Road, SA Road, Banarji Road and Kadavanthra – Kaloor Road. One of the major reasons cited for decongestion at Edappally junction is the opening of the new flyover.
“Unlike previous years, the density of vehicles is much less during this Onam season. On Monday, there was no traffic jam in the extremely busy Edappally junction which otherwise witnesses bumper to bumper traffic,” said Sajimon Mathew, a cab driver. Even in Tripunithura, where the 10-day-long Onam celebrations organised by the municipal authorities are on, there was not much rush on the roads.
“Despite the long Onam holidays, sales are sluggish and have not reached the expected peak. Even vendors of readymade garments, who usually rush to Kochi a week before Onam to temporarily occupy the footpaths, are wondering what hit sales this festive season,” said Nawaz M, a retailer.
