Kochi’s busiest highway corridor witnessed a much-needed reprieve on Monday as freshly retarred service roads along the Ernakulam–Thrissur section of National Highway 544 eased traffic snarls that had paralysed travel in recent weeks. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) confirmed that repairs at major choke points, including Muringoor and Amballur, have been completed, enabling smoother traffic movement just as the Onam rush begins.
For weeks, commuters and transport operators had faced agonising delays on the Edappally–Mannuthy corridor. A journey that typically lasted just over an hour often extended to three or four, as temporary diversions through battered service roads became impassable during monsoon showers. The poor road condition had triggered strong public protests and prompted judicial intervention, with the state’s High Court forming an expert panel to oversee corrective measures.
Highway officials explained that the congestion stemmed from ongoing underpass construction at Chirangara, Muringoor, Perambra and Amballur—projects aimed at eliminating accident-prone “black spots”. While the long-term upgrades are expected to improve safety and streamline transport, the interim diversions had proved disastrous for commuters. Heavy monsoon rainfall compounded the issue, washing away quick patchwork repairs and leaving potholes deep enough to cripple vehicle flow. According to officials, the retarring of both service roads at Muringoor was completed over the weekend, significantly improving traffic fluidity. Repairs at Amballur and Chirangara were scheduled for completion by early this week, with authorities confident that travel times will reduce markedly despite higher festival-season traffic. Police stationed along the corridor reported visible improvement in congestion once the resurfacing was completed.
Contractors involved in the underpass construction have also been tasked with ensuring that temporary diversions are well-maintained until permanent works are completed. The NHAI has further assured that high-mast lighting poles and improved road signage will be installed at these sites, enhancing visibility and safety during night-time travel. Urban planners believe the crisis highlights the urgency of building resilience into highway infrastructure, especially in regions prone to seasonal deluges. Temporary service roads, they argue, must be constructed with the same durability standards as main carriageways if they are to bear the weight of heavy freight and passenger vehicles. As Kerala transitions towards climate-sensitive infrastructure planning, such lessons hold value for future highway expansion projects.
While residents welcome the immediate relief, the episode underscores the delicate balance between development and mobility. Infrastructure upgrades promise long-term sustainability and safety, yet the short-term disruption revealed the need for proactive mitigation. With Onam drawing lakhs of travellers onto Kerala’s highways, commuters will be watching closely to see if the promised improvements hold up under pressure. For now, the resurfacing has offered a smoother ride, but it also raises a larger question—whether India’s highway modernisation drive can evolve with foresight to ensure equitable, climate-resilient and commuter-friendly journeys.
