THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even though traffic experts had raised concerns that there would not be direct connectivity to the widened National Highway bypass at Chakkai as per the existing plan, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is unlikely to address the concern. Leading traffic expert Dr. N.S. Srinivasan had said recently that as per the existing plan there would be no direct connectivity for vehicles from Pettah side to the widened NH bypass at Chakkai and hence vehicles from Pettah side would have to travel up to Enjchackkal along the service road to enter the widened bypass. Mr. Srinivasan had suggested that ramps on both sides of the rail overbridge at Chakkai could solve the problem.
However, a senior NHAI official said that it would be difficult to constantly change plans. “We are designing the road considering various factors.. Our priority now is to complete the work as per schedule as it has already been delayed because of reasons like the row over cutting down trees,” he said. It was during a meeting to find a solution for the road’s design from the airport entrances that traffic expert Srinivasan had pointed out this flaw in the design. As part of widening, the NH-bypass will get elevated by around five metres at Chakai junction.
There would be an underpass along the Pettah - Shanghumugham stretch. As per the existing design, there will be no access to the elevated NH bypass at Chakkai. Instead vehicles will have to go up to Enjchakkal to enter the NH bypass. “Unless there is a ramp on either side of the Chakkai rail over bridge, it would be inconvenient for vehicles from Pettah side to Kazhakoottam,” said NATPAC managing director B.G. Sreedevi.
Design for airport entry yet to be accepted
Meanwhile, NHAI is yet to accept a road design for airport entry and NH widening prepared by Dr. N S Srinivasan even though the state government and Airports Authority of India had accepted the plan. NHAI officials maintain that they had not engaged anyone to suggest a solution and hence a decision on whether to accept has to be taken at higher levels. NHAI is allegedly reluctant to accept it citing additional financial commitments and time, sources pointed out.
The state government had accepted Dr Srinivasan’s plan that does not necessitate the demolition of the controversial 430-metre Chakkai ramp constructed a decade ago to take vehicles to the international terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram airport. An 8.5 metre flyover will be constructed in between the ramp and the existing highway. Vehicles moving from Enchakkal to Chakkai will take the flyover, and those coming in the opposite direction will take the existing highway. Vehicles to the airport from Enchakkal can take the ramp, as is now being done.
