A regional residents’ association coordination committee has begun preparing an action plan to address persistent traffic congestion and waterlogging in Matoor near Kalady, with proposals including a new traffic control arrangement, parking restrictions and drainage improvements.
The committee held a meeting of representatives from local organisations at St George Jacobite Church Hall in Matoor to collect practical suggestions from residents and other stakeholders. The proposals will be consolidated and submitted to the relevant authorities and departments, according to Mathrubhumi’s report.
Matoor has been experiencing traffic congestion similar to the conditions previously reported in Kalady, where vehicles travelling along MC Road are frequently delayed. Traffic movement in Kalady improved after roadwork involving the removal and relaying of the bridge’s asphalt, but Matoor continues to face severe congestion whenever vehicle volumes increase, the report said.
Among the proposals discussed was the installation of a median from Matoor junction to Kalady bridge. The committee also sought a dedicated traffic unit for Kalady and suggested replacing the existing signal-based arrangement in Matoor with direct traffic management by police personnel or traffic wardens, citing the general failure of the current signal system.
Other traffic measures under consideration include placing direction and warning boards at the junction and along the roadside, moving the bus stop towards Angamaly further ahead, and prohibiting parking on both sides of Sree Sankara College Road. The meeting also proposed introducing a one-way system on the college road during morning and evening peak periods.
Under another suggested arrangement, vehicles travelling to the college would enter from Matoor and return through the Marottichodu route. The proposals are intended to reduce traffic pressure at the junction and prevent vehicles from competing for limited road space along the college access road.
Waterlogging on Sree Sankara College Road was also discussed. Participants proposed removing silt from the existing drains to improve water flow and creating a system to divert runoff from the road into the drains, as the road’s gradient causes water to flow towards the area. The meeting did not announce an immediate execution schedule for these works.
The committee decided to create a WhatsApp group to involve people from different areas and gather additional suggestions. It also plans to coordinate residents’ organisations, elected representatives and government officials to pursue time-bound remedial measures. The consolidated recommendations are expected to be submitted to the concerned authorities and departments.
The meeting was chaired by committee area president C.K. Anwar, while general secretary R.C. Rajeev presented the issue. Kalady panchayat president Pauly Baby delivered the keynote address. District panchayat member Ahallya Sadanandan, block panchayat members Seena Devasikutty and Pushpala Thankappan, panchayat members and representatives of Adi Shankara Institutions, the Public Works Department, traders and auto workers also participated in the discussions.