Kochi approves traffic rerouting at Edappally Vyttila to ease congestion
Kochi has moved a step closer towards easing its perennial traffic bottlenecks, with the state government formally approving a new rerouting plan for the city’s busiest intersections. The initiative, focused on Edappally and Vyttila junctions, is expected to reshape mobility in one of Kerala’s most rapidly urbanising regions, where surging vehicle numbers have long tested infrastructure and commuter patience.
The rerouting proposal, originally developed by the Kochi City Police, secured approvals from the National Highways Authority of India, the Public Works Department, and Kochi Metro Rail Limited. Following these endorsements, the state transport ministry cleared the plan with additional modifications, reflecting the urgency of addressing the city’s worsening congestion problem. Officials confirmed that the first phase will involve a project estimate of approximately ₹1.5 crore, which has already been forwarded to the Road Safety Commission for administrative sanction.
The traffic crisis in Kochi has been exacerbated by the exponential rise in private vehicles, swelling commuter inflows, and inadequate pedestrian-friendly design. Edappally, one of the busiest junctions in the state, has emerged as a major congestion hotspot where road geometry and unregulated vehicle movement collide to create chronic jams. Similar pressures are visible at Vyttila, an interchange where highways, city traffic, and metro connectivity converge.
As part of the approved plan, certain right turns at Edappally have been closed to minimise choke points. Vehicles heading towards Alappuzha from Edappally will now need to proceed further along NH 66 before taking U-turns at designated points. Similarly, diversions have been introduced for motorists arriving from Aluva towards Varappuzha, requiring them to bypass congested intersections.
While the strategy aims to distribute traffic more evenly, officials acknowledge that U-turn points, especially near Edappally church, have already become overburdened, raising concerns about pedestrian safety and crowding during peak hours. The plan therefore emphasises continuous monitoring and adaptive management, especially during festival seasons when the city experiences heavy surges in vehicular and pedestrian traffic.Looking ahead, the government is also exploring a long-term mobility solution in the form of a proposed link road between Angamaly and Thuravur. Urban planners believe this corridor could provide a crucial parallel route, relieving pressure on the national highway stretch that cuts through Kochi.
While the rerouting plan is a much-needed intervention, transport experts argue that congestion cannot be solved by diversions alone. They highlight the importance of integrated solutions, including expanding public transport use, encouraging non-motorised mobility, and promoting sustainable urban design. For a city that is positioning itself as Kerala’s commercial capital, rethinking mobility is no longer optional but critical to securing equitable and climate-resilient growth.
