The transit-oriented development (TOD)-based local-area plan (LAP) for Vyttila that Kochi Corporation has mulled can effectively address long-standing issues faced by motorists, pedestrians, and others in and around Kerala’s biggest junction if implemented professionally, experts have said.
The proposed LAP, the first of its kind in Kerala, would hopefully resolve issues at the poorly planned Vyttila Junction, where chaotic traffic and a lack of pedestrian infrastructure create daily challenges, said S. Gopakumar, president of the Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG). He attributed the problems to the absence of dedicated footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and unchecked parking, stressing that the LAP focuses on micro-level planning tailored to the specific needs of each area.
U-turns
“The six-lane flyover built by the PWD (NH wing) at the junction in 2021 is a classic example of poor planning, as town planners and other experts were not consulted during its design,” said S. Gopakumar. He pointed out that a longer flyover, aligned with the northern railway overbridge, could have allowed U-turns beneath it, reducing the need for traffic signals. The BKRG had proposed this well before the flyover’s design was finalised. The Kochi Corporation should rope in adequate number of town planners to ensure the effective implementation of the LAP.
Ever since Kochi Metro was commissioned in 2017 and its subsequent extension to Vyttila, town planners and others have been demanding implementation of TOD on either side of the 27-km Aluva-MG Road-Thripunithura metro viaduct, with the capital-intensive metro as the primary transit mode.
Widen roads, footpaths
The councillor representing Vyttila Division in Kochi Corporation, Sunitha Dixon, hoped that the LAP would help undo the damage caused by shoddy planning while designing the junction and the flyover. “Less than 30% of motorists use the six-lane flyover, while the rest jostle for space beneath. Aimed at decongesting the junction, the Corporation must, through LAP ensure that roads and footpaths have adequate width while enabling seamless integration of multiple modes of transit,” she said.
Welcoming the proposed LAP for Vyttila and its surrounding divisions, D.G. Suresh, secretary of Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC), attributed the lack of pedestrian culture in Kochi to next to nil or encroached upon footpaths, including in Vyttila. “The PWD, NHAI, Corporation, urban planners, and traffic rule enforcement agencies must coordinate and find a way out of the mess at Vyttila. They must also consult residents’ associations and NGOs. In addition, the vast vacant space beneath the flyover must be converted into a sports arena, like in foreign countries, to prevent it from becoming a hub for anti-socials,” Mr. Suresh said.
International experts
Stating that the LAP would help bring about planned development, Mayor M. Anilkumar said that international experts would be roped in for the initiative after a detailed survey is done. “The LAP would accord primacy to making optimal use of public transport.”
Published – February 10, 2025 01:04 am IST