NHAI faces flak over poor service roads on Edappally-Aroor NH 66 bypass
Situation is particularly bad along Edappally overbridge-Edappally Junction-Palarivattom stretch, where a pair of flyover-cum-underpasses have been under construction for over a year
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is under scrutiny for the poor quality of service roads on the 17-km-long Edappally-Aroor NH 66 bypass, a heavily trafficked highway in Kerala. The problems are particularly acute near the Edappally overbridge, Edappally Junction, and Palarivattom area, where a pair of flyovers-cum-underpasses have been under construction for more than a year.
Motorists and pedestrians have faced significant delays, unscientific vehicle rerouting, potholed service roads, and chaotic traffic conditions, as reported by D.G. Suresh, acting president of Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC) and a local resident. Ambiguous signage around work sites and the merging of service roads with the main carriageway exacerbate the issue, especially during shopping sales that draw more motorists to the Edappally Junction, where NH 66 meets NH 544.
Acting senior traffic police officer has voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of service roads and the extensive potholes on the main roadway. NHAI officials acknowledge the ongoing repairs to damaged service roads and potholes but attribute the delay in constructing the flyovers to a recent design change that will add three spans to each, increasing their length by 180 meters.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
