Kochi bus operators may stop service
Kochi: As the traffic coordination committee has announced traffic diversion on SA Road from December 17 to facilitate Metro station construction near GCDA office Kadavanthra, private bus operators have raised objection against the move.
The confederation of bus operators associations complained that diversion of buses through the narrow KP Vallon Road would result in heavy traffic congestion which will affect their service and time schedule.
The confederation has submitted a proposal to Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Elias George requesting alternative measures to avoid traffic chaos on SA Road, one of the busiest routes in the city.
“The Metro authorities should either construct a temporary steel bridge structure parallel to the Kadavanthra Bridge or divert buses through Giri Nagar, Mammattypalam Bridge to reach Panampilly Nagar. If diverted through KP Vallon Road, St. Joseph church junction to reach Panampilly Nagar, buses have to travel an additional 3.7 kilometres of which 2.1 kilometre is too narrow. As the buses have given three minutes to cover one kilometre, the entire time schedule has to be revised accordingly,” said Suresh Oommen of Kerala Bus Transport Association.
As part of Metro station construction works, the 11 metre portion of the 15 metre wide bridge in front of the GCDA will be barricaded. Hence, the vehicle movement will have to be restricted to the remaining four metres. So, the area has to be made one-way with entry to vehicles from Panampilly Nagar side only.
“If buses are diverted through Giri Nagar, Mammattypalam Bridge to reach Panampilly Nagar, by making the stretch one-way, it will be much easier as the additional distance is only 200 metres,” added Suresh Oommen. According to bus operators, the diversion will affect the entire schedule of buses, especially those operating in long routes like Aluva – Poothotta, Aluva – Kakkanad, Panangad – Aluva, Panangad – Kakkanad, Chottanikkara – Aluva and Chottanikkara – Kakkanad.